What if my mentee doesn't contact me or return my emails?
If you contact your mentee and they do not respond:
- Try to reach out to them three times. They may be busy or check their email infrequently.
- If they still do not respond, the mentee may have changed their mind about participating in the program. Do not take it personally!
- Contact us and we will either try to contact them on your behalf and/or pair you with someone else.
Do I have to include a picture with my mentor profile?
You are not obligated to include a picture with your mentor profile, however, mentees are more likely to select you if they see a friendly face next to your name!
What should I include in my mentor profile to make it interesting?
Mentees look for a variety of qualities in a mentor. These may range from specific skills and experiences like public speaking, travel, and extracurricular engagement, to gender, sexual orientation, or knowledge of a foreign language.
Details that may seem irrelevant to you may be just what a mentee is looking for. Some mentees have requested mentors with experiences as specific as having changed program of study over the years or having been unsure at some point about a future career or academic path. Some simply want a mentor who can discuss what it means to be a member of the McGill community. We encourage mentors to consider how their many experiences could prove to be useful to an undergraduate student.
How often am I supposed to meet with my mentee?
The duration and frequency of your meetings are entirely up to you and your mentee. This can range from twice a semester to every other week on your lunch hour and everything in between! Some mentees may want to meet once, others a few times, and others might want to extend the meetings over several terms. This is a decision that you and your mentee can make together.
How do I initiate conversation with my mentee?
Like any friendship, a rapport between a mentor and mentee isn't always immediately established. Below we have included some topics to help you break the ice with your new mentee. Remember, finding common ground is easier than you might think!
Consider these conversation starters:
- The first-year experience so far and adjusting to university
- Common interests and hobbies (refer to mentor/mentee profile)
- Shared academic interests
- Academic fields of interest beyond one’s central focus
- Career exploration and goals
- Personal skill development and related goals
- A typical day at school/work
- Personal accomplishments
- School-work-life balance
How can I be an effective mentor?
Check out our Mentoring Tips and Best Practices page for articles on mentor relationships and best practices. Also, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to meet with you to discuss mentoring tips!
Does my mentorship relationship end at the close of the academic term or year?
Not necessairly! At Mentoring Across McGill, we recognize that every mentorship relationship is unique and develops organically over time. Accordingly, we do not limit the scope or span of mentorships: they may continue (formally or informally) for as long as the mentee and mentor wish. This means that it is possible to continue your mentorship passed the academic term or year in which it began, as long as you and your mentee agree to do so.