By Tracee Ramey
Senior Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison
A key part of the mentoring experience is exploring the reason for starting it in the first place. It’s important to ask your mentor the questions that will trigger meaningful and productive discussions.
At some point in our lives, we’ve all been there and asked ourselves what we hope to gain from our experiences. Perhaps you’re in a transition period, and you’re wondering what the future of your career will look like. Maybe you’re looking to make a change to an entirely new professional field and aren’t sure you have all the information you need to take that leap.
Career decisions can be exciting but also stressful, and that’s totally normal. But connecting with a mentor can give you insight as you explore new career opportunities.
Related link: Why Finding a Mentor Can Be Important for Your Career
Start the Mentoring Relationship by Asking the Right Questions
Once you’ve joined ClearPath, our online mentoring program, and connected with a mentor, the hard part is over, right? Not exactly.
You will need to come to your mentoring meetings prepared and ready to engage with your mentor. That mentor is there to help you, but without a clear direction, he or she will have very little understanding of your personal and professional goals, which will impede your progress.
Here are some questions that can help you explore your purpose and get the conversation rolling:
Career Development
- How can I refine my skills for my career?
- What are the growth opportunities in this field?
- What are some challenges you have faced in your profession?
Leadership
- What is the most valuable skill you have learned?
- How can I learn to navigate difficult conversations?
- Which leadership skills are the most challenging to develop?
Effective Communication
- What is the best advice you have personally received?
- Do you have any tips for me to ace my job interview?
- Is it more important to be a good listener or a good communicator?
Self-Improvement
- How can I practice effective time management?
- Which skills should I work on developing?
- How do you establish a good work/life balance?
Also, here’s another useful tip: As you work through your conversations with your mentor, be sure to use the worksheets from the Interactive Discussion Guide to keep track of your progress.
Related link: COVID-19’s Impact Ushered in a New Era in Crisis Management
Reach Out If You Need More Information
We look forward to your participation in the ClearPath Mentoring program and University Directory. We hope the connections you make within ClearPath will prove helpful to you in the future. For questions or if you want more information, please contact mentor@apus.edu.
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