Mentoring
Business Partner Overview
Definition
An experienced professional will engage in a healthy, trusting relationship with a student. The mentor will share career guidance in their field of expertise and provide helpful tips on how to be successful in starting a career.
- Host one-on-one meetings preferably at your place of business so that the mentee can gain a realistic view of the profession.
- Act as a resource for information about the profession and serve as a sounding board for ideas.
- Share expectations when it comes to soft skills (e.g., interviews, dress, timeliness, etc.) needed to obtain employment.
- Establish trust with the mentee and maintain confidentiality. Listen actively.
- Challenge the mentee to think and analyze options.
- Provide constructive and meaningful feedback. Provide career guidance and share unique professional experiences.
- Provide encouragement to help build self-confidence and strong self-esteem.
- Discuss the level of education required for employment within the industry. Optional: Present opportunities/invitations to attend community and professional functions that you attend (e.g., chambers, rotaries, professional associations).
- Complete and submit an evaluation form to SCC.
Preparation
- Communicate with program coordinator to confirm availability for mentoring experiences.
- Fully review and understand the job shadowing program objectives and suggested guidelines the program coordinator will send/email to you.
- Participate in a brief orientation by phone with the program coordinator.
- Communicate with the program coordinator initially to schedule a specific mentoring experience.
Number of Students
One student.
Time Commitment
Minimum requirement: Meet with mentee one hour per month for four months. Feel free to meet and talk more often.
Please note: Students participating in this experience understand they need to take a proactive role and participate in a mandatory orientation with the program coordinator before the experience begins.
