Jon Boyes Curriculum and Work-Related Learning Officer

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Student Mentee Induction
Jon Boyes Curriculum and Work-Related
Learning Officer
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Learning outcomes
Student Mentee Induction

• Understand the nature of mentoring the roles of
  mentor and mentee
• Identify your expectations
• Understand the importance of professionalism, and
  the ways in which this is conveyed
• Set boundaries for the relationship, exploring
  the issues around confidentiality and trust
• Understand the role of networking to maximise
  opportunities

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What is mentoring?
Student Mentee Induction

• A 11 professional relationship lasting for up to
  12 months.
• Support for your professional development
• A significant process which may continue during
  various stages of an individuals career

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What mentoring is not
Student Mentee Induction

• Tutor/student relationship - with focus on
  producing an academic outcome
• A friend/friend relationship - which mainly
  focuses on personal development usually outside
  work
• Counselling take your personal problems
  elsewhere!
• A route to a placement not an expectation of
  the scheme.

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Who are the mentors?
Student Mentee Induction

• Alumni
• Employers
• University contacts
• Staff
• Various levels of seniority
• From various organisations/backgrounds
• Each person has different goals and qualities

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Why are they important?
Student Mentee Induction

• Given up their time and energy to help you!
• May be involved in other activities across other
  areas of the university
• Their experience on the Career Mentor Scheme may
  impact their likelihood of helping the University
  in the future

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Scheme objectives mentees
Student Mentee Induction

• An insight into the mentor's work and career
• Opportunity to meet contacts/colleagues of the
  mentor (networking)
• Developed an informed career plan eg further
  study, internship, change in direction
• Advice and guidance with their career thinking
  and their transition from undergraduate to young
  professional
• Improved employability skills e.g. communication,
  professionalism, time management, problem
  solving, C.V. and applications

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Scheme objectives mentors
Student Mentee Induction

• Engaged with a University of Exeter student to
  provide information to aid their career
  development
• Developed their information, advice and guidance
  skills
• Gained an insight into current student life and
  news from the University
• Reflected upon their career achievements

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Professionalism
Student Mentee Induction

• What is it?
• Respectful communication (email/telephone/face to
  face)
• Dress code
• Responding in a timely manner
• Grammar spelling
• Meeting in a professional environment

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Action Plans
Student Mentee Induction

• Set at least five objectives during the process
• Eg.
• Ask to be introduced to...
• Learn more about courses available in..
• Send CV for comments and amend if necessary
• Set up monthly telephone meetings

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Receiving feedback
Student Mentee Induction

• Listen carefully
• Avoid a defensive response stop, reflect and
  respond
• Seek clarification if you are unclear
• Be prepared to try any alternatives with an open
  mind
• Mentors are only human and this is a
  developmental process for them too.

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Reflection
Student Mentee Induction

• Example prompts
• What did you do?
• What did others do?
• What did you think?
• What did you feel and react?
• How did you behave?
• How did others behave?

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Reflection (cont.)
Student Mentee Induction

• Example prompts
• What was good or bad about the experience?
• Have your feelings changed over time, suggesting
  that your own point of reference has changed?
• Are there any ethical/ moral/ social issues that
  you want to explore?
• Is there something you need to do next?
• Is there something that you would do differently
  next time, given a similar situation?

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Networking
Student Mentee Induction

• How it can be helpful
• How to approach someone/what to discuss
• Elevator pitch who you are, why you are there,
  your goals
• Listening vs speaking, the 80/20 rule
• Finding common ground
• Sharing contact details
• Asking if follow up is OK

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Personal safety
Student Mentee Induction

• Always meet in a public place ideally at the
  mentors place of work.
• Let someone know who cares about you where you
  are and when you will be back.
• If at any point during the partnership do you
  feel uncomfortable let us know.

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Giving your feedback
Student Mentee Induction

• Collected half way and at the end of the
  partnership
• Specific and constructive
• Balance negative with positive
• Personalise your comments e.g. I liked

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Questions
Student Mentee Induction