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I am a very busy professional and
do not have much time to spare. How much time should I be
spending with my mentee?
Your mentee will provide you with
an e-mail update on his/her progress once a month. You may wish to
catch up at an occasional “working” lunch or breakfast or invite him/her
to attend a professional function with you. You also may want to consider
being matched with a student who is studying abroad and have him/her work
during vacations in your company.
I am very interested in becoming a
mentor but I am not sure whether I would be considered because I am a
non-Bermudian?
Anyone can be a mentor provided they are working professionally
within the industry and are keen on helping young Bermudians. There is
much to be gained from diverse backgrounds and
experiences.
I am new to mentoring and don’t
know what I should do for the first meeting with my
mentee?
Your initial meeting should be a “get to know you” on comfortable
turf, as relaxed as possible. A BFIS representative will arrange
this meeting with you and your new mentee at your office or over
lunch. Don’t be discouraged if the relationship is awkward at first.
What are some of the things that I
should get to know about my mentee?
Find out how s/he is doing in
school; what are their favorite courses, toughest assignments or
struggles. This would be an excellent opportunity for you to share
your own struggles and offer any assistance you can.
What would be some good questions
to ask my mentee?
Ask your mentee what s/he expects
from the relationship and how they think you can help
them.
What are some of the non-academic
assistance I can provide my mentee?
Share your own career history and
discuss what was critical to your success and, just as important, what
were some of the pitfalls.
What practical professional help I
can offer to my mentee?
Have your mentee visit your
workplace; introduce him/her to your colleagues or young professionals in
your office. Discuss the nature of your organization’s business,
your role and company culture. Invite your mentee to a professional
association meeting you are a member of, or to an open corporate
presentation you are attending, or some other appropriate forum to meet
and network with industry professionals.
How can I help my mentee make a
career choice?
Discuss the career options your mentee has considered. Find
out if s/he has any specific goals and what are they doing to achieve
these. Find out if they need support or information to pursue their
goals.
How do I address social etiquette
with my mentee?
You may want to invite you mentee
to lunch and discuss corporate etiquette or social functions you commonly
experience. Students are sometimes interviewed over lunch and may not be
accustomed to dining and conducting formal conversation at the same time.
Remember that you are there to provide support and encouragement in any
way you can. Look for ways to simply enjoy each other’s company and build
a relationship. | 
