Ideally, the mentor has as much interest in being a mentor as the employee or intern has in being mentored. It’s only fair to both parties that the interest is mutual and can improve both parties’ knowledge, perspectives, and insights while sharpening interpersonal skills. Beyond this, the mentor must be capable of supporting, listening, and teaching his or her mentee. To be a mentor, a person must also have an excellent understanding of the organization’s culture, values, and procedures.
I am currently a mentor to a student at the University of Connecticut through a Society of Human Resources Managers (SHRM) chapter. I volunteered for the program so that I could give back since so many mentors helped me when I was in college. The program chair created the match and my mentee and I met and hit it off instantly. We have been meeting when our schedules allow and keeping in touch via email. I have assisted her with her resume, shared project documents for her review and education, and taken her to appropriate meetings in the field of Human Resources.
Stay tuned for Tip #3 coming next week!
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