Getting Started
Mentorship means embarking on a transformative journey of professional and personal growth and we understand how exciting it can be to begin a mentoring relationship. Whether you are looking to participate as a mentor or a mentee, we encourage you to explore the resources below:
For Mentors
Step 1: Understand
Watch: What is a Great Mentor?
What is a great mentor from Being a Good Mentor by Ellen Ensher
Watch: What we mean by Mentorship
What we mean by mentorship from How to Be a Good Mentee and Mentor by Emilie Aries
Read:
Power Mentoring: How Successful Mentors and Proteges Get the Most Out of Their Relationships
Step 2: Define Your Why
Watch: Make yourself an available mentor
Make yourself an available mentor from How to Be a Good Mentee and Mentor by Emilie Aries
Attend:
Mentoring 101: The Basics for Mentors
Listen:
Assess:
UW-Milwaukee Mentoring Competency Assessment (MCA) document
Step 3: Start Your Journey
Identify Your Skills:
These are areas you are well-suited to support as a mentor. To help you identify your skill-based areas of expertise, review this Skills Catalog.
Write Your Bio:
Summarize your experience, areas of expertise, and the type(s) of mentoring you prefer to focus on. For example – leadership development, new employees, or career development. Use this document to support introductory conversations with prospective mentees.
For Mentees
Step 1: Understand
Watch: What we mean by Mentorship
What we mean by mentorship from How to Be a Good Mentee and Mentor by Emilie Aries
Watch: The five characteristics of a successful mentee
The five characteristics of a successful mentee from Being a Good Mentee by Ellen Ensher
Listen:
The HBR Guide to Getting the Mentoring You Need
Step 2: Define Your Why
Watch: 3 steps to determine what you want from mentorship
Three steps to determine what you want from mentorship from Being a Good Mentee by Ellen Ensher
Attend:
Mentoring 101: The Basics for Mentees
Step 3: Create Your Journey
Watch: Approaching a Potential Mentor with Confidence
Approaching a potential mentor with confidence from Being a Good Mentee by Ellen Ensher
Watch:
How do you Prepare for a Mentoring Relationship?
Read:
How To Find The Right Mentor For You
Complete:
Build Your Board of Mentors activity
Discuss:
Talk to your manager about mentoring and get their input on prospective mentors.
Additional Resource:
Supercharging Your Career with the Help of a Mentor