SETTING EXPECTATIONS ACTIVITY

The activities suggested in this section are designed to help you and your mentee clarify expectations and goals, and build a foundation for your meetings.

You may complete some of these activities in person with your mentee, or through phone and e-mail conversations. For other activities, your mentee might want to do some personal reflection first and discuss her ideas with you later. Discuss what works best for both of you.

Both you and your mentee can make suggestions and offer ideas for activities that will help get the conversation going, give you a chance to model professional behaviour, provide opportunities for you to offer concrete guidance and advice, or spark discussion.

REALITIES OF TRI-MENTORING QUIZ

Knowing where your mentee falls within the career development continuum will help you and your mentee set and achieve reasonable goals.

  1. A mentee-mentor relationship is usually a lifelong commitment
    TRUE
    FALSE

  2. In a successful mentoring relationship, the mentee finds employment with the mentor or a contact made through the mentor
    TRUE
    FALSE

  3. It is appropriate for mentors and mentees to discuss topics other than career and education plans.
    TRUE
    FALSE

  4. Mentor-mentee relationships work best when the mentor has achieved the same career goals the mentee hopes to achieve.
    TRUE
    FALSE

  5. The mentor-mentee relationship should be highly formal and professional.
    TRUE
    FALSE

  6. As a faculty or industry mentor, I am not expected to have extensive mentorship experience or know exactly how to advise my mentee.
    TRUE
    FALSE

  7. The most helpful mentors are those who work for major corporations and organizations.
    TRUE
    FALSE

  8. A mentoring relationship can be very successful even if it does not run smoothly.
    TRUE
    FALSE

QUIZ ANSWERS

  1. False: In our program, mentor-mentee relationships last about eight months and include approximately six face-to-face meetings.

  2. False: Getting your mentee a job is not the goal of the mentor/mentee relationship. Success is measured by how the mentee’s career and education planning benefit them.

  3. True: Career and life issues are intertwined. Balancing family and career, matching a career with personal values, or overcoming obstacles such as shyness or language barriers within the context of career are appropriate topics for a mentoring relationship.

  4. False: Mentors and mentees are not meant to be identical. Great mentoring is based on sharing information, ideas, and advice on all aspects of career planning and professional life.

  5. False: While professionalism is important, it is also important to break through the formality in order to engage in dialogue, ask questions, discuss issues, and connect in a meaningful way.

  6. True: Mentors are not expected to know how to be perfect mentors – that is why we created these resources and offer professional development opportunities.

  7. False: We recognize the value and wisdom a broad range of mentors can offer mentees. You can help your mentee gain skills, opportunities, and knowledge whether you work for a small or medium-sized business, non- profit agency, large corporation, university, or other organization.

  8. True: Learning to communicate, work with a variety of people, manage time, negotiate, and act professionally are skills mentees may develop through mentorship. Challenging situations can lead to productive, honest, and satisfying relationships.
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