The purpose of this orientation
is to ensure that mentors are
knowledgeable about the structure
of the program and comfortable
with their roles and responsibilities.
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
• Welcome and Introductions
• Program Overview
• Definition of the mentor/protégé
relationship
• Functions of a mentor
• Getting Started
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
• Establishing Expectations
• Setting Goals
• Agreeing on a Plan
Mentoring is a voluntary relationship
in which the mentor serves as:
• Advisor
• Advocate
• Friend
Mentoring is a two way relationship
that is unique because:

The mentor and protégé are both
volunteers

The mentor, although senior, has no
formal authority over the protégé
 Listening
 Teaching

skills
Acting as an advocate
 Giving
exposure to opportunities
 Increasing
protégé’s visibility
• Advice
• Access
• Advocacy
Advice

Begins with listening

Help protégé make decisions,
don’t make decisions for them

Give “how-to” advice on practical
matters

Don’t give personal advice: listen and
let the protégé talk through a problem
Access
Connect protégé with people or
resources that might not otherwise
be available
 Introduce protégé to colleagues
• Show protégé how to find
information on colleges,
scholarships, jobs

Advocacy

An advocate speaks on behalf
of a protégé
As an advocate, the mentor links
his reputation with the protégé’s
 Advocacy is earned over time

Self-Assessment of:

Motivation

Expectations
• Background
• Assets
• Limitations
• Fears
Why did your mentor
devote his/her time to YOU?
• He saw my potential
• She saw my untapped potential
• He identified with me

She saw some positive things we
could work on to our mutual benefit
• I was eager to be a protégé
Agreeing on a Plan
• Frequency and structure of meetings
• Tasks to be accomplished
• Target dates
Do:
• Listen actively
• Show respect
• Give honest feedback
• Model appropriate behavior
• Be realistic and dependable
Do:
•State clear expectations
• Maintain confidentiality
• Let your protégé know what you're
gaining from the relationship
• Learn from your protégé
•Start and end on a positive note
Do:
• Help your protégé discover
the nature of his/her genius
• Have fun
Don’t:
• Intimidate protégé
•Jump to conclusions
• Sugar-coat negatives
• Act preoccupied
• Promise what you can’t deliver
Don’t:
• Give personal advice
• Reveal confidences
• Ignore cultural or ethnic differences
• Assume what works for you will
work for everyone
• Put off meetings
Don’t:
• Cancel meetings repeatedly
• Assume responsibility for protégé’s
success
• Rush the process