Mentorship Meet & Connect Guide
Purpose:
The purpose of this initial conversation is to get to know one another, build rapport, and determine if the mentorship relationship is a good fit.
This is not a commitment; it's an opportunity to:
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- Explore shared goals, interests, and expectations.
- Understand communication and learning preferences.
- Identify potential alignment in experience and support needs.
- Decide together whether to move forward into a formal mentorship.
How to Use this Guide:
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- Use these prompts as conversation starters, not a checklist.
- The potential mentee is encouraged to lead the conversation.
- Select the questions that are most meaningful to you.
- Allow space for natural discussion and follow-up questions.
- Potential Mentors should share openly and ask questions as appropriate.
1. Understand the Potential Mentor
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- Can you share a bit about your career path and experiences?
- What do you enjoy most about mentoring others?
- What types of mentees or goals do you feel you support best?
- How would you describe your mentoring style?
2. Exploring Fit & Expectations
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- What does a successful mentorship relationship look like to you?
- How do you typically support mentees in reaching their goals?
- How do you approach giving feedback?
- What expectations do you have for a mentee?
3. Aligning on Goals
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- I am hoping to grow in...
- Based on that, how do you feel you could support me?
- Have you worked with mentees on similar goals before?
- What approaches have been most effective?
4. Communication & Working Style
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- How often would you meet with your past mentee(s)?
- What communication style do you prefer?
- How should I come prepared for our meetings?
- What helps make mentorship conversations most productive?
5. Getting to Know Each Other
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- What do you enjoy most about your role at UToledo?
- What motivates or energizes you at work?
- What are you most proud of in your career?
- What do you enjoy outside of work?
6. Potential Challenges
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- Are there any time constraints or commitments that could impact meeting regularly?
- What challenges have you seen in mentorship relationships?
- What helps prevent those challenges?
7. Conversation Reflection
After the inital meeting, take a few minutes to reflect:
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- Do I feel comfortable asking this person questions?
- Do their experiences align with my goals?
- Does their communication style work for me?
- Do I feel supported and understood?
Next Step Discussion
I would like to move forward with this mentor.
I would prefer to explore a different match.
If Moving Forward
Schedule a follow-up meeting to complete the Mentorship Agreement Form and Mentorship Action Plan.