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Meet with Your Mentor

Take notes and answer questions here.

Review

In “Choose a Mentor,” you learned the importance of choosing mentors to help you make decisions about your future. Share who you chose and why.

Learn

Remember that a mentor is a person that you respect and admire who can give you advice and encouragement. Think about someone you trust who can give you counsel on decisions you must make about your education and career. You may have chosen a mentor in a previous activity. After doing so, you will want to set goals and ask them to meet with you regularly. When you meet with your mentor, discuss how you hope they will help you. Ask them questions so you can learn from their experience. Discuss when and how often you will meet based on your goals and on the ways your mentor can help you.

Ideas for Having a Successful Mentoring Meeting

• Prepare questions to ask your mentor before you meet.

• Arrive on time and thank the mentor for being willing to meet with you.

• Discuss your questions with your mentor, and listen carefully to their answers. You may also want to take notes as you listen.

• After meeting, write what you learned and questions to ask next time you meet.

• Thank your mentor by sending an email, text, or thank-you note.

Before You Meet with Your Mentor

Talk to your mentor before you meet and make a plan using the steps below:

1. I will contact my mentor:

   • In Person

   • Phone

   • Email

   • Text

   Phone:

   Email:

2. The first time we meet, we will meet:

   • In Person

   • By Phone

   • By Email

   • Online

3. After you make a plan to meet, write one or two goals you will discuss with your mentor. (Examples: decide what university to attend, research different career paths, learn about job opportunities, or write a resume)

4. Share your plan with a family member or friend, and discuss your goals with them.

Questions to Ask Your Mentor

Choose three or four questions from the following list, or write your own questions to ask your mentor. Choose the questions that will help you as you think about your education and career path.

1. Why did you choose your job or career?

2. What education have you received? How has it helped you?

3. What were some of the challenges that made it difficult to receive your education or get this job?

4. What things have you done in your career that you are most proud of?

5. What do you see as my strengths?

6. What can I do to prepare for my future education and career goals?

7. Do you have a mentor? How have mentors influenced your life?

Before Completing Your Meeting:

• Decide if you will meet again and when: (Date, Time, Place)

• Choose a topic to discuss the next time you meet.

Activities to consider that you and your mentor can do together:

• Review your resume or job application.

• Practice a job interview and take turns asking and answering questions.

• Spend a day at work with your mentor.

• Attend a workshop or conference together.

• Visit a university or technical school together.

Talk with Your Family

Share what your learned about your mentor with your family. Discuss your educational and career goals.