Fisk University Young Alumni Association Establishing Successful Mentoring Relationships
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Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program – Fisk University Young Alumni Association (YAA)
Executive Summary This guide was developed to provide Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program mentors and protégé’s with a guideline for establishing a successful mentoring relationship and was developed using the resources provided online for free by Be a Mentor. Mentoring is what successful people do! This is one of the things that we want to encourage in this program. You don’t get a mentor just because you’re not doing well. More importantly, you position yourself to “welcome” opportunities that will strengthen your growth. When you enter the real world, you’ll find most companies have mentoring programs that are mandatory. Why? They are interested in investing completely and wholeheartedly in your growth. They cannot afford for you to be at the same level 10 years down the road that you are when you were entry level. Dr. Cornell West is Tavis Smiley’s Mentor. Billionaire Warren Buffett is Bill Gates Mentor. Who is going to be yours? Topics addressed include a description of the role of a mentor and protégé, tips for establishing a relationship, details on how to develop a mentor-protégé meeting structure, as well as a sample mentor project form. We hope this manual will serve as the platform for establishing and growing your relationship with your mentor/protégé. Please feel free to utilize other successful methods as we continue positioning you to build healthy and strong relationships. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly and I will be sure to make myself available to entertain your needs. Go FISK! Forever on the Alter!
Demetrius B. Short Executive Director – Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program (YAA) YAA Vice President demetrius_short@hotmail.com 336.340.3670
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Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program – Fisk University Young Alumni Association (YAA)
Table of Contents Protégé Program Overview
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Description of a mentor
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Description of a mentee
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Developing strong mentor - mentee relationships
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Getting to know your mentor
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Getting to know your mentee
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Mentoring Agreement
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Setting Goals
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Sample Mentor Project Form
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Additional Resources
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Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program – Fisk University Young Alumni Association (YAA)
Program Overview Foundation: Research has proven that students who are connected to and feel comfortable at an institution of higher learning are more likely to graduate from that institution. On the contrary, students who must rely on their own support networks are more likely to transfer or drop-out. The Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program is built on developing a personal connection between a mentor and protégé that will support, strengthen and encourage student self-advocacy leading a determined student to graduate from Fisk University with a greater opportunity to succeed in the workplace or advanced degree programs. The effective mentoring connections that the students make at Fisk foster the creation of a positive, safe and comfortable learning environment where future leaders are incubated and academic exploration is encouraged. Program Name: The name of the mentoring program will be the Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program. Two halves make a whole and the program aims to bring alumni, who have paved the way, together with current students who carry the burden of maintaining and strengthening the rich tradition of Fisk. Thus, the 50/50 program exists and is such named, entrusting in Alumni (50%) and students (50%) produce 100% satisfaction and success in the end. Goal: 1. To develop a “results oriented” mentoring program by establishing a network of Fisk Alumni who volunteer to support and guide students through the college experience. 2. Foster mentoring relationships that support the student’s journey towards self-reliance, successful graduation, and transfer into the workplace or advanced degree programs. 3. Challenge students to work through personal and academic challenges, and build self-esteem and confidence through the pursuit of higher education and career aspirations. Program Framework: The 50/50 Protégé Program will consist of two (2) tracks that will serve as the framework by which the mentoring objectives can be met. 1.
Developmental Track (Freshman/Sophomore): Provide mentoring that will assist in the personal development of the protégé. Focus will be on developing skills that will build character, self esteem and study skills that will prepare them for academic and personal success.
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Professional Track (Juniors/Seniors): Provide mentoring that will focus on professional development in preparation for the protégé’s career or higher educational interests. Provide resume, etiquette and communication skills (to name a few) along with Graduate School application and research development skills.
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Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program – Fisk University Young Alumni Association (YAA)
Description of a Mentor An Alumni Mentor is a graduate of Fisk University who is willing to share their time in support of a current student’s pursuit of educational, personal and/or professional goals. An Alumni Mentor shares their experiences as a reference point in order to help guide their protégé towards the achievement of their goals, as well as provide guidance on challenges that the protégé may be facing in the completion of their degree or career advancement.
Description of a Protégé A protégé is a current Fisk University student who receives support, guidance, instruction and advice from an influential patron who helps further his/her career. A protégé is equally involved in positioning oneself for success during their academic journey on the career path they are looking to follow. The expectation is that the protégé takes the initial step in investing in his/her future be taking responsibility for the direction of their career. Once this commitment is made, matching of a mentor can be accomplished.
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Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program – Fisk University Young Alumni Association (YAA)
Developing Strong Mentoring Relationships Developing a strong mentoring relationship takes time and effort from both parties, as well as a clear understanding of each person’s expectations. The first time you both meet; expect that it will feel awkward until you get to know each other. Also, it is recommended that you keep the following thoughts in mind: •
You both may be nervous during the first meeting and unsure how to get started. (To help you start the conversation, see the sample questions on pages 6 and 7 of this guide.)
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Neither role (mentor or protégé) is more important that other, rather this is a partnership. Each of you will bring a set of experiences and values to the table which will be valuable to the other. And, you will find, that no matter what your role, you each will come away from the relationship with greater knowledge.
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Trust takes time. Do not expect that you will each be immediately comfortable with the other. Rather, trust and open dialogue will evolve over time as you continue to meet.
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Assume positive intent throughout the beginning of your mentor – protégé relationship. This can be summed up as assuming that the other has your best interests at heart.
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Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program – Fisk University Young Alumni Association (YAA)
Getting to Know Your Mentor The following questions are designed to help you learn more about your mentor, both personally and professionally. Don’t feel that you need to ask all these questions during your initial meeting, but rather use these as guides to help you develop a rapport or seek support in areas that you are currently struggling with. •
What do you like most about your job?
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What do you like least about your job?
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What work activity is the most challenging for you?
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What is your favorite thing about your job?
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What work-related skills do you excel at?
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What work-related skills would you like to learn more about?
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If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
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When you have a bad day at work, it is usually because…
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When you have leisure time, what do you like to do?
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What other career(s) are you interested in?
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Do you have any pets?
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Do you have any children?
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Why did you choose to go back to school?
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How has your degree helped you?
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For you, happiness is…
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What is your favorite? o o o o o o
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Food Place Sport Activity Movie Book
Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program – Fisk University Young Alumni Association (YAA)
Getting to Know Your Protégé The following questions are designed to help you learn more about your protégé, both personally and academically. Don’t feel that you need to ask all these questions during your initial meeting, but rather use these as guides to help you develop a rapport with them. •
Are you currently working while in school? If so, what do you do?
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What do you like about your current job and employer?
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How would you like your career to evolve?
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What do you like about your degree / classes?
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Are there any areas that you are struggling with at this time?
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If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
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When you don’t do as well in school as you would like, it is usually because…
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When you have leisure time, what do you like to do?
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Do you have any pets?
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Do you have any children?
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Happiness is…
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What is your favorite:
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Food
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Place
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Sport
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Activity
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Movie
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Book
Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program – Fisk University Young Alumni Association (YAA)
Mentoring Agreement In order for this to be a mutually rewarding experience that benefits both of us, ____________________and ___________________ agree to the following mentoring terms, conditions, and goals (which are documented on the mentoring plan). Frequency of Meeting How often will we meet? Day(s) of the week: Where/How will we meet? How long will we meet for? Best Time to Contact At work: At home: At school: Specific Role of the Mentor (check all that apply) Model: Guide: Provide feedback: Recommend development activities: Suggest / provide resources: Other:
We agree ( ____________________ and ___________________) to a no-fault conclusion of this relationship, if for any reason, it seems appropriate. Either party has the option of discontinuing the relationship for any reason, and we agree to discuss this with the Alumni Association prior to terminating the relationship.
Setting Goals 9
Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program – Fisk University Young Alumni Association (YAA)
One of the crucial components of a successful mentoring relationship is setting goals. This will provide a framework for the conversations that you have together and support a successful outcome. When drafting goals, one process that is helpful is to follow the SMART structure, which ensures that goals are strategic, measureable, attainable, relevant and time bound. Questions to ask to determine if your goal meets these criteria are included: •
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S – Strategic o
What do you want to accomplish?
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Why do you want to accomplish this goal?
M – Measureable o
How much?
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How many?
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How will I know when it is accomplished?
A – Attainable o
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Do I and my mentor have the time to work on this?
R – Relevant o
How will meeting this goal help me achieve my greater purpose?
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Is this a goal my mentor can realistically support me on? Do they have the relevant experience?
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How important is this goal to my final purpose in working with a mentor? Critical, very important, important, necessary, but not important, or neither necessary nor important.
T – Timebound o
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What is the timeframe for accomplishing this goal
Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program – Fisk University Young Alumni Association (YAA)
Sample Mentor Project Form We use the word “results oriented” in this program for a reason. At the end of the day, we would like to know what the relationship accomplished. Our goal is to be in position to track and monitor certain obstacles that arise and be able to offer support that extinguishes the issues. Keeping students in school and achieving high graduation rates is the mindset of this program. Please take the time to identify the NEEDS of the protégé. Write them down and be honest with them. Example: “I practice the “crash course” study technique in school. I wait until the day before the test and study all night long. I NEED to develop a better study routine” Action Items: Mentor will help protégé develop a study time sheet with the basis that for every 1hour of course time, there will be 2 hours of study time. Protégé will implement the study sheet and log study time hours weekly and share with mentor. Protégé will monitor with the mentor. The goal is to have atleast 15 hours of study time each week in hopes that will directly attribute to scoring better on tests. Protégé Action Steps
Mentor Action Steps
Completion Date
Academic Goal Personal Goal Career Exploration Goal
** Use additional sheets to develop your plan of action. Remember, don’t be afraid to share your G.P.A. and where you are NOW. We are more interested in getting you where you NEED to be!
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Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program – Fisk University Young Alumni Association (YAA)
Additional Mentoring Resources The following is a brief list of free mentoring resources that are available online: •
Be a Mentor www.beamentor.org
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Coaching and Mentoring www.coachingandmentoring.com
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Coaching and Mentoring – free leadership, coaching and mentoring quizzes http://www.coachingandmentoring.com/quizzes.htm
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US Department of Education Mentoring Center http://www.edmentoring.org/online_res11.html
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Fisk 50/50 Protégé Program – Fisk University Young Alumni Association (YAA)