Introduction for Mentees

You are cordially invited to become an ABC mentee by the ABC Undergraduate Studies Committee.

What is your commitment? The Mentor and Mentee will discuss goals and objectives, as well as protocols by which the partnership will work (see Mentor Program Partnership Agreement). We hope you will try this for six to twelve months.

Your Mentor Co-coordinator will contact each of you after six months to request your mid-point assessment and to help as needed. At the end of twelve months, you will be contacted again for your assessment and you may decide at that point if you wish to continue. At any point during the twelve months, either party may decide to discontinue the relationship. This closure will be used as a learning opportunity.

How will mentors and mentees work together? The mentoring partnership will probably be conducted through e-mail and telephone conversations. Ideally, the mentor team can meet in person at least one ABC convention or conference during the mentoring period.

What does a mentoring relationship require?
The relationship requires honesty, trust, care, commitment, and a desire to learn and work. As a mentee,your role is to observe, question, explore, and develop.

If you are an ABC mentee, you should...

• Strive to learn from the mentor and to get better at what you do.
• Manage and set the goals for the relationship; the mentee is the one who takes responsibility for the process and outcomes.
• Balance the desire to push beyond your current level of competence with an understanding of the scope of knowledge yet to be learned.
  

What does mentoring offer you?

• A professional opinion provided free of charge based on experience in the field of business communication (perhaps specific expertise in teaching, career development in higher education, consulting, or workplace)
• An opportunity to confidentially discuss issues related to business communication practice
• A fresh perspective on seemingly daunting issues
• A creative but proven suggestions for handling business communication challenges
• A doorway to additional networking to resolve an issue or obtain critical information
• Encouragement and assurance from a mentor who shares your profession and skills

What mentoring isn't:

• an employment agency
• a long-term counseling or consulting source
• a research provider
• an instant crisis solver
• a 24/7 service
  

Interested in joining or getting more information? Go to the How to Join page.