The McGill Mentor Program: Guide for Potential Mentors
	“Branch out and explore your possibilities”

Why Become a Mentor?

Mentoring provides you with an opportunity to support your university in a personal and unique way. A mentor's role varies with each student; the mentor and the mentee design their own relationship in terms of time involvement, topics of discussion, and methods of communication.

A mentor may provide advice, support and/or offer guidance in any of the following ways:

• Helping to set career goals and career paths
• Providing industry/functional information
• Assisting in identifying and enhancing the mentee's marketable skills
• Sharing experiences of successes and setbacks, as well as what can be learned from them
• Offering career alternatives within an industry
• Acting as a resource in helping the mentee forge a career path of his/her own

A mentor should strive to:

• be patient and flexible
• be supportive and encouraging
• communicate efficiently by listening, understanding, and articulating responses
• be available and responsive in answering questions
• offer non-judgmental, constructive feedback
• teach by example

The Mentor Match: What to Expect

1. Once the student has met with the Mentor Program Coordinator to discuss the expectations and details of the Mentor Match, you will be notified via email about the mentorship match made. You will be provided with the student's name; the student will receive your contact information, and it is their responsibility to contact you within two weeks of this meeting.
2. The initial contact is important; it is encouraged that students use professional etiquette and describe their academic background and interests. It is suggested that they attach a copy of their CV, not for job-finding purposes, but so that the mentor can get a better idea of their background and experiences.
3. After this initial email, the match will proceed in an open-ended fashion, depending on the particular preferences of the mentor and mentee, as well as the advice being sought out by the student. It is encouraged that mentees meet with their mentor face-to-face if possible, or alternatively, arrange a conversation over phone or Skype. In these meetings, you may want to discuss career goals, your professional background, short and long term goals and/or other pertinent topics.
4. After a period of four months, you will receive an email from the Mentor Program Coordinator informing both you and your mentee that the mentor match has been closed. You are invited to provide feedback on both the individual match and the program at large. At that point, the mentee and mentor are encouraged to stay in contact if they have developed a good professional relationship; however, further communication will not be monitored by the McGill Mentor Program Coordinator.

Managing a Successful Mentorship Relationship:

At the beginning of the relationship, discuss with your mentee what he/she hopes to achieve through the mentorship, the mode and schedule of communication, and your own personal outlook for how the mentorship will proceed. Set boundaries about confidentiality and time commitments. Try to maintain your mentoring role until the end of the mutually agreed-to period. Lastly, help the mentee identify their skills, as well as those necessary to succeed in the workplace.

Some suggested activities:

• email or telephone your mentee to identify common interests;
• have a casual lunch and discuss career goals;
• suggest some related professional conferences or activities to your mentee;
• create a mock-interview for your mentee;
• have coffee and share your professional experiences and successes;
• give the mentee a tour of your office

Some suggested questions to ask your mentee:

• What are your goals for the McGill Mentor Program?
• What are you studying as McGill? Are there any particular courses that you have really enjoyed?
• Have you done any volunteering, or completed an internship?
• Are there particular jobs or fields in which you have an interest?
• Where are you interested in working? In Canada? In the U.S? Internationally?
• What interests and values do you have?
• Is there a particular kind of work environment would you prefer to have?
• What steps have you taken so far in your career exploration?

Mentee Skill Development

If you feel your mentee could further develop specific skills please refer them to our on-campus career workshops. They take place at various times throughout the academic year, and more information is available on our website and myFuture events page.

• CV and Cover letter Writing
• Interviewing
• Networking
• Program for the Advancement of Career Exploration (P.A.C.E): Designed to help students make decisions about their field of study and/or career options. It is a series of four workshops that include vocational testing and a complete self-assessment. Upon completion of PACE they will be able to understand their personality type, identify their skills, interests and values, and how they relate to various occupations.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact:
Mentor Program Coordinator - The McGill Mentor Program
McGill Career Planning Service
3600 rue McTavish Street, Suite
Montréal, QC H3A 1Y2
Tel/Tél: 514-398-3304 ext. 0761
Mentor.caps@mcgill.ca