Mentor Programs in Business schools address the fact that, by its very nature, the study of business must combine experiences inside and outside the classroom. Mentor Programs help bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and the realities of the business world by providing students the opportunity to learn about the way business is practiced today, under the guidance of experienced professionals. The Mentor Program in Business schools pairs students and mentors who share a similar background, geographic location preference, or career field. Students are therefore able to explore different industries, review career paths, and adjust personal goals, while mentors gain the opportunity to help students define their futures and, for alumni, further enhance their own business experience.
Understanding what is expected of the mentor/student will lay the foundation for a successful relationship.
Mentor:
Provide guidance based on past business experiences
Expand the student's knowledge of your industry
Share stories of past successes and failures
Assist the student in career selection and with job search techniques
Introduce the student to your network of business associates
Provide opportunities for job shadowing
Offer constructive criticism in a supportive way
Communicate on a regular basis
Student:
Initiate the relationship by contacting your assigned mentor
Convey your expectations of the relationship
Set objectives for each meeting with your mentor
Establish open communication with your mentor
Be flexible to accommodate your mentor's schedule
Communicate on a regular basis
Program Format Mentor Programs are designed to be flexible in order to meet the needs and adapt to the varying schedules of the participants. What this means is that mentors and students work together to define the scope of the relationship. For instance, some participants may determine that it is best to talk on a regular basis, while others may decide that more informal contact is better, based upon need. The main goal is that the relationship is mutually beneficial and does not become too demanding for the mentor or too limiting for the student. Some items that are considered in first student-mentor discussions include:
frequency of meetings;
means of communication;
mentoring activities;
appropriate/inappropriate boundaries (times not to call, etc.);
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