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MENTORING 101: WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH A MENTOR EnvironMentors University Chapter October 25, 2011

LIFE ROAD MAP Draw 5 milestones that you would like to accomplish in the next 5 years.

Write how you might accomplish each.

BENEFITS OF A MENTOR Why do I need a mentor? Mentors

have more life experience that you and are here to guide you down a certain path (academic or personal) Through

your mentor you will get a chance to talk about meaningful things and learn new things such as: 

New environmental issues and science concepts



About college life and potential careers

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Different life choices and paths that your mentor has taken

BENEFITS OF AN ENVIRONMENTOR Your mentors will provide you with the knowledge, guidance, and support to develop and complete an inquiry-based science project based on an environmental topic of your interest

“My mentor has been amazing at helping me develop projects that directly relate to my passion and goals.”

“My mentor and I are like best friends, and he continues to support me with personal advice and helps me with school work.”

“I liked my mentor because he was close to my age and a recent graduate in a field I was interested in.”

MENTOR’S ROLE 

Mentors should: 

Meet with you once a week, or at least 3 times a month.

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Stay in contact with you via phone, e-mail, and the Online Community between in-person meetings.

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Accompany you to workshops, field trips, and other scheduled events.

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Guide you through the research process and help you understand difficult material.

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Help you design and conduct your experiment, and analyze the data you collect.

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Assist you in developing a project poster or display board for the elementary school teaching presentations, chapter EnvironMentors Fair, and any other presentation opportunities that may become available.

YOUR MENTOR IS… 

… a Friend who is there to get to know you and have fun.



… a Role Model who sets an example of an environmental student or professional. No mentor is perfect, but they will share with you their skills and life experiences.

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… Someone who is Proud of You! Your mentor is your own personal cheerleader and coach who is there only to help you be the best you can be and guide you in the process.

YOUR MENTORS IS NOT… 

… your Friend’s or Family’s mentor. The mentor’s mission is to focus on you and while you can share things about your friends or family, they are not there to guide them.



… your Psychologist. You can definitely talk to your mentor about personal problems, but they are there to “fix” you or diagnose you.

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… your Free Labor. When you and your mentor are working on your EnvironMentors project, they are their to guide you, and you are there to do the work.

MENTEE’S ROLE 

You should: 

Have a sincere interest in developing a mentor relationship.

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Take ownership of keeping the relationship going.

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Accept feedback, suggestions, and guidance from mentors.

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Keep an open mind about activities, research, and opportunities that the mentors suggest to you.

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Contact your mentor if you will not be able to make a meeting.

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Commit to working though your mentor relationship.

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Complete the EnvironMentors project.

TIPS FOR WORKING WITH YOUR MENTOR -Listening -Time

management

-Professional

communication

UH-HUH, YEAH, OK….WHAT?

ACTUALLY LISTENING TO WHAT IS BEING SAID 

Being interested means that when you are having a conversation, you are focused on actively listening to what your mentor is saying.



That means NOT:



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Thinking about your own response while they are talking

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Checking your phone or texting your friends

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Daydreaming

You should be: 

Looking at the person

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Asking clarifying questions if necessary

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Repeating back what they said to make sure you understand .

TIME MANAGEMENT Organizing Your Life Managing your time well is an important element of success — especially if you’re a student. If you set priorities that fit your needs and lifestyle you'll have a better chance of achieving your goals.

Here are some tips for taking control of your time and organizing your life:

TIME MANAGEMENT CONT. 6. Get a Good Night's Sleep. Your brain needs rest to perform at its peak. Lack of sleep makes the day seem longer and your tasks seem more difficult.

7. Communicate Your Schedule to Others. If phone calls or text messages are proving to be a distraction, tell your friends that you are only available at certain times of day and not to expect a response at other times.

8. Become a Taskmaster. Give yourself a time budget and plan your activities accordingly. Figure out how

much free time you have each week before you add any commitments.

9. Don't Waste Time Agonizing.

Instead of agonizing and procrastinating, just do it. Wasting an entire evening worrying about something that you're supposed to be doing is not productive, and can increase your stress.

10. Determine Your Priorities. You can’t do everything at once. Establish the importance of each item. Then set realistic goals that are attainable.

PRIORITIZING Make a list of everything you did yesterday, then break it up into the following categories. See if you prioritized your day correctly.

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION BASICS 1.

If someone emails you, respond within 24 hours.

2.

If someone calls you, call them back within 24 hours.

3.

When you call someone, leave a message including: 

Your Name



Your telephone number (slowly, twice)

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Why you are calling

1.

If someone text messages you they expect a prompt response; reply within 1 hour or as soon as possible.

2.

It is professional courtesy to confirm meetings the day before and 1 hour before the meeting.

3.

If you are delayed or running late, you should let the person know and give them an approximate arrival time.

EMAIL ETIQUETTE