The IET expect mentees to drive the mentoring relationship and take control of their own learning.  There are some key things that you can do to ensure you, as a mentee, get the most out of your mentoring relationship.

 

Prior to the first meeting

 

The first meeting with your mentor is the most important one as it can set the scene for your whole relationship. 

 

There are a number of considerations for your first meeting that you won’t have to consider for subsequent meetings.  These considerations include:



- Being clear on what you want to accomplish with the mentor and your mentoring goals.



- Preparing some key questions for getting to know your mentor and think about what you want to tell your mentor about yourself.



- Making a list of what you need help with and printing or preparing any relevant documentation.  If you are working toward professional registration you should print copies of any reports or competence assessments you may already have done to take to the meeting.



 Preparing for mentor meetings (after the first meeting)

 

After your initial meeting with your mentor, it is important to meet regularly to maintain momentum in your relationship.  If you prepare before the meeting it will ensure that you are able to spend time in the meeting focussing on what matters: your development.

 

Prior to the meeting you should:

- Read and review any notes from the previous meeting.



- Consider any progress you have made against agreed actions (if any were agreed) or things that may have changed since the meeting.



- Check that the meeting date/time is still convenient for you and your mentor and re-arrange it if you can no longer make it or feel that you have not had the opportunity to make progress since your last meeting.



- Think about your next steps; what do you hope to achieve from the meeting and what support do you need from the mentor?



- Draft an agenda for the meeting.  This doesn’t need to be any more than a list of topics to discuss; you may want to prioritise the list in case you don’t get the chance to talk about everything.



- Prepare any relevant documentation and send this to your mentor ahead of the meeting so they have a chance to review it.  If you are using Career Manager then send your mentor a guest ticket a few days before the meeting to view your competence assessment.



Remember, you don’t have to wait for your next meeting to contact your mentor.  If an opportunity for continuing professional development (CPD) arises you do not always need to discuss this with your mentor at a formal meeting first.  You can call or e-mail them in between meetings if you need support.

 

Share your experience of mentoring

 

Have you had the opportunity to benefit from a mentoring relationship?  Why not share your experience about what you learnt from your mentoring relationship?  It may help others toward successful mentoring?