A  GUIDE  TO  BEING  AN  EFFECTIVE  MENTEE

WHAT  MAKES  A  GOOD  MENTEE?

A good mentee is professional and respectful at all times:
Your professional mentor is a connection to the outside world. If you are disrespectful and unprofessional to your mentor, you will lose your mentor and be removed from the program. At the same time, your mentor could share their negative experience with you with their own connections and it may have a negative effect that could ripple and create plenty of problems for you when you graduate. 

A good mentee sets goals with their mentor and works to achieve them:
If you aren't growing, there's no real purpose to the mentoring relationship. Also, if your mentor sees your growth, it could impress him or her and lead to other opportunities for you.

A good mentee maintains a positive attitude:
Your professional mentor doesn't want to hear you complain. Save that for your friends and maintain a positive attitude.

A good mentee shows appreciation for his or her mentor:
Your professional mentors are not getting paid for their time with you. They are generously providing you with an invaluable service. Make sure you show your gratitude even if it's just by saying thank you.

WHAT  MAKES  A  BAD  MENTEE?

A bad mentee is impatient and too demanding:
Your professional mentor has other responsibilities and can't be available for you all the time. Rescheduling of your monthly meeting may happen; if it does, be patient and understanding with your mentor. 

A bad mentee doesn't follow up:
After each meeting make sure you are doing your due diligence and following up. Briefly discuss your last meeting, set new goals or strategies to complete current goals, set up your next meeting and always thank your mentor for providing their time.

A bad mentee relies on their mentor to set up meetings:
It is NOT the job of the professional mentor to initiate setting up meetings. His or her only job is to let you know of his or her availability so that YOU can work out a date that works for both of you. Make sure you are setting up your monthly meetings to ensure progress.

A bad mentee doesn't set their expectations with their mentor:
You should know what it is you want out of your mentor. Make that clear to them in a respectful way so that they can do their job effectively. You will talk about this at the introductory mixer at the end of September.