Current Mentee
This page includes all the information you will need to participate as a Merge Mentee.
Before getting started, please be sure to review the Merge Mentee Guide.
At the start of the program, please complete the planning checklist with your mentor:
- Share a bit about yourself.
- How do we plan to meet? (In-person, Zoom, Phone)
- How often do we plan to meet? (once per week, biweekly, once a month) *Remember, you are required to meet at least once a month for a minimum of one hour.
- Will we meet at a set date and time each month (e.g. the 3rd Thursday of every month at 2 pm CST) or schedule at the end of each meeting?
- If a call/email/text is received, we will respond within… (24 hours, 1-2 days, 3 days)
- What is our preferred method of communication? (Phone call, text, email)
- What are the mentee’s goals for this mentorship?
- What are the mentor’s goals for this mentorship?
- How can I help my mentor achieve these goals?
- What existing questions do we have about the Merge Mentorship Program? (Contact Anna Claire Stinson at annaclairestinson@auburn.edu with any questions)
Remember, it is your responsibility to take initiative in contacting your mentor at the beginning and throughout the program.
Each month, you will meet for a minimum of one hour with your mentor to discuss career readiness topics of your choice. When setting up each meeting, be sure to tell your mentor what competency(s) you would like to discuss so both parties have time to prepare. There is no particular order you must follow, just aim to touch on all of the competencies by the end of the program.
Before each meeting, review the materials for the chosen competency(s) including the definition, reflection questions, questions to ask your mentor, suggested activities, and additional campus resources, found below:
Resources for Each Career Readiness Competency
Communication
Definition:
- Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.
Reflection Questions:
- What strengths/weaknesses do you have in verbal, written, and nonverbal communication? Why do you think that is?
- How does effective communication change across different areas of your life (work, school, personal, etc.)?
- Have you sought out any opportunities to improve your skills in this area?
Example Questions to Ask your Mentor:
- What is the most important thing you’ve learned about communication in your career?
- When would I typically need to use the different types of communication (presenting, emailing, meeting with a client, etc.)
- How would you recommend I work to improve an area of weakness in communication?
Suggested Activities:
- Practice sending professional correspondence
- Practice how to handle difficult situations (disagreements, rejections, apologies, etc.) both verbally and written
- Have your résumé/cover letter/personal statement reviewed by your mentor
- Receive feedback on body language/nonverbal communication skills
Additional Resources:
- Miller Writing Center
- University Career Center (resume/CV, cover letter, and personal statement writing)
- Innovation & Research Commons
Critical Thinking
Definition:
- Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.
Reflection Questions:
- Think about the big decisions you’ve made in your life; did you think critically to analyze the situation and make a sound decision? Why or why not?
- When you are faced with a problem, how do you typically handle it?
- What experiences have pushed you to practice/improve your critical thinking abilities?
Example Questions to Ask your Mentor:
- How has your critical thinking ability improved throughout your career?
- What is the balance between asking your supervisor questions and trying to find a solution yourself?
- What are reliable ways to obtain knowledge, facts, and data in this industry?
Suggested Activities:
- Using your goals set in Career and Self Development, develop an action plan to accomplish those goals
- Read the article and participate in the exercises to strengthen critical thinking at the end: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefits-critical-thinking-workplace-11638.html
- Create a mind map and discuss common themes. What insights into your personal brand and potential careers do you see?
- Have your mentor come up with a real-world problem (either fictional or based on a situation your mentor has faced) and share your process for finding a solution
- Work on articulating how your undergraduate experiences (classes, involvement, volunteering, undergraduate research, etc.) connect to your desired career
Additional Resources:
Technology
Definition:
- Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.
Reflection Questions:
- What technologies are you proficient in? Lacking in? How does social media influence your career?
- Are you aware of the major technologies used in your industry?
- When have you had to quickly learn a new technology, and how did you react?
Example Questions to Ask your Mentor:
- What are the main technologies you use in your position?
- How do you stay updated with new technologies?
- What are some creative ways you have used technology to accomplish goals?
Suggested Activities:
- Start/update a LinkedIn profile and/or an ePortfolio with the help of your mentor
- Connect on LinkedIn with your mentor and explore some professional organizations/people that may benefit you in your field to help you start networking
- Look through onetonline.org to identify areas to grow and discuss job descriptions
- Browse through the University Career Center website together to discover helpful resources
Additional Resources:
- Innovation & Research Commons
- University Career Center – Handshake, CareerShift, Online Presence, and O*Net Online
- ePortfolio Project
Equity & Inclusion
Definition:
- Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist practices that actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism.
Reflection Questions:
- How do your identity and implicit biases affect your interactions with others? (Optional: Take Implicit Association Test courtesy of Harvard University).
- What opportunities have you sought out to interact with diverse individuals?
- Are you active in learning about diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and religions? Why or why not?
Example Questions to Ask your Mentor:
- Do you feel this industry is diverse, inclusive, and equitable?
- What experiences were learning moments for you in this context?
- What insights can you share about generational differences in the workplace?
Suggested Activities:
- Choose a TED Talk on this topic to watch and discuss
- Brainstorm strategies for you to diversify your network
- Discuss ways to avoid groupthink in the workplace
- Watch this short 2-minute video with your mentor and discuss
Additional Resources
Teamwork
Definition:
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.
Reflection Questions:
- What is your typical response/approach when working on a team?
- What has been your most successful group work experience, and why? Least successful experience?
- When problems arise, what strengths and weaknesses do you have in managing conflict?
Example Questions to Ask your Mentor:
- What kind of teamwork do you typically engage in?
- What steps do you take to create a productive and respectful collaborative environment?
- How do you manage conflict in a team?
Suggested Activities:
- Make a list of what makes a great team player, then reflect together on which attributes you could improve on
- Take a personality assessment and discuss results/findings/compatibility. How can you leverage your personality type in a team?
- Roleplay a conflict/difficult situation in the workplace
- Ask about the interpersonal/relationship-building skills that are crucial in your field and how to develop those
Additional Resources
Leadership
Definition:
- Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.
Reflection Questions:
- Who do you consider to be an effective leader in your life? Why?
- What is your leadership style? Do you infuse ethics and equity in your decisions and actions as a leader?
- Think about any leadership experience you’ve had—what successes and challenges did you face?
Example Questions to Ask your Mentor:
- What is your leadership style?
- What experiences have you had that influenced your leadership style?
- How do you handle being led by someone whose leadership style you do not agree with?
Suggested Activities:
- Ask for a book recommendation on leadership you could read, or share what books/articles you have read on the topic and what you learned
- Brainstorm how to take on leadership roles in school, organizations, and work
- Ask about how you can serve as a mentor to others down the road
- Make a list together of exceptional leaders; discuss what qualities/behaviors/attributes make them noteworthy
- Learn the basics of management/administration
Additional Resources
Career & Self-Development
Definition:
- Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.
Reflection Questions:
- Have you set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely) career goals for yourself? Are you actively working towards those?
- What tools need to be added to your toolbox for you to better manage your career?
- How confident are you with networking, searching for jobs, negotiating job offers, creating a personal brand, etc.?
Example Questions to Ask your Mentor:
- How do you stay on top of managing your career and progressing towards your goals?
- What are some strategies for networking and job/internship searching in this industry?
- When have you had to self-advocate in your career?
Suggested Activities:
- Develop a Professional Development Plan and update it throughout the program, college, and your career
- Practice negotiating job offers
- Discuss the basics of financial literacy (building credit, budgeting, loans, etc.)
- Ask about some professional organizations/conferences you can get involved with
- Request an introduction to a colleague of your mentor’s or a professional in your desired industry
- Learn about how to network and conduct informational interviews
Additional Resources
- University Career Center – career exploration, graduate school prep, job search strategies, career fair prep, salary negotiation
- University Career Center – Career Events Calendar
- Auburn Alumni Association
Professionalism
Definition:
- Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.
Reflection Questions:
- Have you demonstrated personal accountability, integrity, and effective habits in jobs, school, involvement, etc.? Why or why not?
- Are you aware of your industry’s standards for professional etiquette, interviewing, and professional attire?
- Who is the most “professional” person you know? What makes this person fit that description? Do you consider this person a role model?
Example Questions to Ask your Mentor:
- What does professionalism look like in this industry (etiquette, attire, interviewing, etc.)?
- What is the best course of action when your ethics are tested?
- How do you balance your career and personal life, and what habits make balancing the two easier?
Suggested Activities:
- If meeting in person, meet over a meal and get tips on dining etiquette
- Set up a mock interview with your mentor and receive feedback
- Develop a 30-second commercial/elevator pitch and practice giving your pitch; receive feedback
- Visit the Campus Career Closet to build your professional wardrobe and get tips on what type of clothing is appropriate for your desired industry
- If meeting in-person, visit mentor’s workplace and complete a job shadow
Additional Resources:
- University Career Center – interviewing
- Student Employment
- Health Promotion & Wellness Services
- Student Counseling &Psychological Services
Please contact Jennifer Crowder at jcc0051@auburn.edu or (334) 844-4744 with any questions or concerns about reaching out to mentors.
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Last modified: February 24, 2022