Some topics you might want to discuss with your mentee include:
- Networking
- Career progression and possible paths
- Managing politics in the office/organization
- Time management
- How to handle conflict in you career
- Work/life balance
- Leadership development
- Tricks of the trade
- Potential challenges they may face on their career path
Make a habit of ending each conversation by summarizing the goals and plans that were established, and beginning each conversation by discussion actions taken and progress made since you last spoke. Also, you and your mentee should periodically evaluate the usefulness and success of the mentorship more broadly, to ensure both of you are benefitting from the experience.
In addition, researchers have found that participating in a shared activity with your mentee develops a stronger relationship than simply discussing problems. It is our hope that together (and, if necessary, with funding from the University Scholar/Mentor Engagement Fund—see the next section), you and your mentee can devise activities that provide opportunities for academic and professional development. Such activities might include:
- Attending presentations, lectures, or conferences together
- Having the mentee assist you in research or other projects
- Attending networking events
- Introducing other faculty members or campus visitors who might be beneficial to your mentee
- Attending career development seminars
We understand that everyone has busy schedules, but you have the potential to shape a young Scholar’s future, so the time you spend may be more beneficial than you realize. University Scholars reach us at a formative time in their lives. You will be a primary source of information and guidance for these young adults, thus making face-to-face meetings imperative for each student’s success in college and beyond. We want to make these students the best they can be here at Northeastern, as well as prepare them for success in graduate school or the professional world. Your help is vital to that success.