Context:
Your mentee is likely finishing their program requirements and eager to start their first job or they may already be employed. As your mentee gains more relevant experience it will either solidfy or have them question their long-term career aspirations. Whether they choose to continue with their current pathway or switch, iMentor has resources available to help them. As you check-in with your mentee, remind them of their long-term goal and see if it resonates with them. This will help you plan their next short-term steps and help them maximize the next few months.When it comes to finding a valuable career development opportunity or job, preparation is key. Mentees who have done their due diligence by researching, prioritizing, and preparing for a job or career development opportunity have higher chances of securing one that helps them advance their life or career goals. The same goes for students who tap into their networks to guide and support them through the process.
Prompts for Communication:
Even though there is a lot to cover this month, before getting bogged down in tasks send your mentee a quick message to see how they are doing.
- What is one thing that is going well for you or that you are proud of?
- What if one thing that you are struggling with or could use some additional support with?
Celebrate and congratulate your mentee on their wins. Help them work through their challenges, by first offering a listening ear, then validating their feelings, and finally, helping them explore the resources that are available to them through their employer, program, in their community and at iMentor.
Now is a good time to check on your mentee’s progress and experience win their program and with their employer. Their current program or place of employment is laying the groundwork for their career path. As your mentee gains more career related experience it will either solidify their long-term goals or call it into question. If your mentee decides that they are unsure about the pathway they are on that is okay, there are resources available to them navigate their next steps.
- How are you feeling about your program/employer? What are some small and big wins for you so far (think about projects, performance, connections to peers in your community, etc.)?
- Are there any aspects of your program/job that you are struggling with? If you are struggling, how are you seeking support from your program/employer? How can I and your Program Manager (PM) support you?
Exploring summer internships while exciting could seem a bit daunting to your mentee especially as they are wrapping up their program requirements. You can kick off the conversation by talking about your personal experience with internships and how you can support them in exploring their options. How did you research, select, and land your internship? What advice do you have for your mentee? At this early stage in their post-secondary journey your mentee may be unsure of what type of internship would benefit them. Have them start their exploration by using the career interest assessment tool in the resources section.
Even though there is a lot to cover this month, before getting bogged down in tasks send your mentee a quick message to see how they are doing.
- What us one thing that is going well for you or that you are proud of?
- What is one thing that you are struggling with ot could use some additional support with?
Celebrate and congratulate your mentee on their wins. Help them work through their challenges, by first offering a listening ear, then validating their feelings, and finally, helping them explore the resources that are available to them on-campus, in their community and at iMentor.
As far as an academic check-in, ask your mentee how they are preparing for midterm exams and suggest some ways for your mentee to manage any stress or anxiety around this. Maybe there is something that you can do together virtually like guided meditation, yoga or maybe even watching an episode of their favorite show. In addition to mid-terms ask your mentee about:
- Meeting with their academic advisor
- Course registration for the upcoming fall semester
Exploring summer internships while exciting could seem a bit daunting to your mentee especially as they are preparing for midterm exams. You can kick off the conversation by talking about your personal experience with internships and how you can support them in exploring their options. How did you research, select, and land your internship? What advice do you have for your mentee? At this early stage in their post-secondary journey your mentee may be unsure of what type of internship would benefit them. Have them start their exploration by using the career interest assessment tool in the resources section.
Resources:
- Career Interest Survey
https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/interest-assessment.aspx
