Mentorship within the Employee Development Center (EDC) is designed to help you develop the skills and capabilities that matter most in your career journey. Whether you want to offer support as a mentor or receive guidance as a mentee, the mentorship feature connects you with colleagues based on shared skills, interests, and development goals.
The Mentorship program matches mentors and mentees based on their profiles and self-assessed skills. The program focuses on helping mentees develop specific skills and capabilities.
While the core focus is on skill development, mentors can also help with other important aspects of a mentee's career, such as:
- Creating a development plan
- Setting career goals
- Exploring new experiences
What to Expect
Mentorship is a developmental relationship in which a more experienced, knowledgeable, or skilled person supports the growth and learning of a less experienced or skilled individual.
A mentorship is a flexible and personal partnership focused on your development. Your mentor is there to help you explore your goals, reflect on your experiences, and take thoughtful next steps. Instead of solving problems for you, they'll help you think through your options and frame your thinking.
Duration
While you and your mentor might choose a more formal and structured approach to mentorship using the EDC, there are many ways to connect with a mentor that are more informal and of a shorter duration. These connections can range from a one-time meeting where you gather information about your mentor’s role and career trajectory, to a few meetings to check in and hold yourself accountable to your career goals, to simply having an occasional conversation over coffee. Or, depending on your own timing, you might choose to engage in ongoing mentorship over the course of 3-6 months or more. Please note: conversations between mentor and mentee are regarded as confidential.
Roles and Responsibilities
Mentor
Help others grow by becoming a mentor. You can opt-in to the program and set your own parameters for when and how you want to provide support. Your willingness to share knowledge helps build a stronger, more collaborative community. As a mentor, you will:
- Share your personal experiences, choices, and lessons
- Offer feedback and encouragement
- Ask questions that invite reflection and clarity
- Help your mentee explore what success looks like to them
- Support, not direct, their next steps
Characteristics of a Mentor
- Experienced and knowledgeable: They can share relevant expertise.
- A great listener: They pay close attention to your needs.
- Approachable and empathetic: You'll feel comfortable talking with them.
- Direct and constructive: They're comfortable giving honest feedback.
- Supportive and encouraging: They're committed to your growth.
- Adaptable: They can adjust to your specific needs.
For further guidance, please review: How to Be an Effective Mentor
Mentees
Find mentors whose experience and skills align with your developmental needs. Use the platform to search, connect, and build a supportive relationship focused on your growth.
To get the most out of the program, you should:
- Prepare ahead of each conversation
- Identify areas you want to reflect on or improve
- Take ownership of your learning and action steps
- Remain open to different perspectives
For further guidance, please review: Getting the Most Out of Mentorship
Matching
- Mentorship matches are based on your Talent Profile—so keep it current to ensure the best fit between you and your mentor or mentee. An important step in beginning a mentorship is prior to being matched with a mentor. Take time to reflect on the following questions beforehand so you can be intentional in selecting a mentor who will be the most beneficial for you and your career growth and development:
- What do I hope to gain from a mentorship relationship?
- What values, experiences, skills, or other characteristics are important for me to look for in a mentor?
- What are the 2-3 key areas I need guidance on from my mentor?