2. How to find your own mentor
Dilveena Sokhi, Mentoring Development Officer

3. Why mentoring?

4. What is/isn’t mentoring?
What mentoring is:
- Led by the student mentee
- Confidential one-to-one partnership
- Sharing expertise and experiences
- Long term, structured
What mentoring isn’t:
- Led by the mentor
- Counselling, therapy
- An offer of work experience or funding
- Coaching
- Short term

5. Characteristics of a mentoring relationship
Supportive
Knowledgeable
Challenges mentee
Mentee
Willing to learn
Prepared
Organised
Enthusiastic
Drives the relationship
Both
Open
Trust
Respect
Commitment
Effective and regular communication
Two-way learning
Non-judgemental
Rewarding

6. Your mentoring journey
Understand what you want
What do you want to gain and learn?
Why mentoring?
Reflect on who and what you know
What do you hope to do?
Who do you already admire? Why?
Where are the gaps? What ‘level’ are you at?
Do you need more than one mentor?
Short term vs long term

7. Your mentoring journey
Finding a mentor
Through your own network
Through existing schemes
Benefits for mentors
Existing schemes
Your network
Family, friends (2nd, 3rd, 4th… connections)
On campus events
B-Enterprising (today!)
Student societies
Regional events
Social media – online (dead or alive), Blogs, LinkedIn, YouTube

8. Useful links www.birmingham.ac.uk/careersmentoring

9. Your mentoring journey
Approaching someone
Research
Explain why you are making contact (adapt according to the communication method)
Outline your expectations
Discuss your goals and what to work on
How often do you meet?
The mentoring relationship
Preparing and goal setting
Building rapport
Ongoing
Conclusion

10. How to find your own mentor
Your mentoring journey
Understand what you want
Reflect on who and what you know
Finding a mentor
Approaching someone
The mentoring relationship

11. Find the right mentor for you
Start with your network
Give it time!
Not everyone is a ‘good’ mentor
Listen, learn and act
Be inspired

12. We are here to help! 