Mentoring Guide for Students (Mentees)
Thank you for participating in our UD Mentoring Program and connecting with a UD alumnus.
UD Mentoring Program - Student Training
You were matched with a UD alumnus/alumna. Now what?
- Initial Contact/Introduction:
- YOU will email your alumni mentor with an introduction and ask to coordinate a time and day to meet that works for you both.
- You should also ask your mentor how they want to meet (In-person, Zoom, Phone).
- Mentoring Meetings:
- You are required to communicate with your mentor via your UD email address.
- Meet on campus or virtually whenever possible. All meetings must be held in a public place.
- Mentors should not provide transportation for mentees.
- Use first meeting to outline the terms of the mentoring, including expectations for
time commitment, preferred communications methods and the goals of both parties.
- Note: Please allow time for you mentor to reply back. It may take a few business days. Be patience and gracious as your mentor volunteered to help you.
- Semester Check-ins:
- At the end of the semester, AR/OPCD will survey mentors and mentees to gather feedback on the program.
What NOT to do as a mentee.
- Do not ask for a job, internship, shadowing, or financial sponsorship opportunities.
- Do not meet in private with your mentor (always choose a public location).
- Do not wait for your Mentor to initiate contact (this relationship is two-way).
Initial meeting action items.
- Share a bit about yourself (major, job experience, hometown, etc.).
- Plan how often you meet (once per week, biweekly, once a month) or schedule at the end of each meeting.
- Set expectations for how quickly you will respond to emails or texts and your preferred method of communication (Phone call, text, email).
- Discuss YOUR goals for this mentorship and how can your mentor help you achieve these goals.
Email best practices.
- Include a clear subject line. This should include the purpose of your email. For example, “Mentoring Schedule” or “Next Mentoring Meeting.”
- Salutation. Begin with “Hello, Mr. Smith” or “Dear Ms. Smith.” Introduce yourself and any shared connection. In the case of mentoring, you might say, “I heard from the OPCD team that we have been matched for mentoring.”
- Concise Message. Convey the purpose and why you're reaching out. Include any specific requests.
- Thank them. ALWAYS thank them for their time.
- Signature. Make sure your signature includes your full name and contact information.
- Proofread. Double check names spellings, content, and grammar. (Use Grammarly as a resource. It is a free add on to your email).
Sample email to an alumnus/a:
To: Dr. Nguyen
Subject Line: Hello from your UD mentee, Gaby O'Neill
Hello Dr. Nguyen,
We have been matched for the UD mentoring program. I'm very excited about the opportunity to meet you and hear your insights. I'm a senior biochemistry major with an interest in learning more about cardiology. Any insights or advice you have for me as I prepare to apply to med school program would be greatly appreciated.
I would love to hear about how UD affected your career choice specifically your experience as a cardiologist.
I am available most afternoons after 2pm. If those times don’t work for you, please let me know. I've included my cell phone number below if that makes it easier to coordinate a meeting date and time.
Thank you for volunteering your time to help me.
Gaby O'Neill
972-721-4065
Additional Helpful Mentee Resources
- Career Advice in their particular field or industry.
- What makes a good first job?
- Career options for specific majors.
- Importance of experiential learning (research, volunteer, internship, or working).
- Discuss graduate school (if applicable).
- Discuss current industry trends.
- How to get started at UD?
Conversation Starters
- Tell your mentor a bit about yourself.
- Explain why did you choose UD.
- Discuss your your major and why you chose it.
- Let your mentor know what you hope to learn from them.
Additional questions to ask your mentor:
- Why did you want to be part of the UD mentoring program?
- What was your first internship or job like?
- What classes at UD do you feel helped you the most in your current career path?
- How did you decide to go to graduate school (if applicable)?
- What was the hardest adjustment for you after college?
- Did you end up where you thought you would post-graduation?
- What do you enjoy about your job now?
- How did you choose to work at the company you do now?
- Were you involved at UD? If so, how?
- What do you think would help me as I apply for X (job/internship/REU/etc.)?
We stress that this is a professional relationship. Though you may develop a bond with your mentor, but they are not your peer.
- Do not share personal details about romantic relationships or personal issues.
- Do not allow your mentor to share personal details about romantic relationships or personal issues.
- If you feel uncomfortable or that boundaries have been overstepped, please
contact the OPCD mentoring contact, Christina Nguyen, mnguyen1@udallas.edu.
Additional communication tips
- Use short and simple sentences to ensure understanding.
- Ask your mentor questions if they need clarification.
- Do not assume your mentor will reply within an hour.
- Demonstrate what you mean rather than just giving verbal instruction.
- Speak directly to your mentor.
- Ask one question at a time and provide adequate time for mentee to reply.
- Keep conversations as normal as possible for inclusion with peers.
Mentors: alumni and other professionals who commit to assisting UD students, recent graduates, and other alumni in exploring and reaching their career goals.
Mentees: University of Dallas students, recent graduates, and alumni seeking advice and assistance from alumni and community professionals.
AR/OPCD: Alumni Relations and the Office of Personal Career Development—UD staff responsible for executing the program
The Mentee agrees to the following:
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Respond promptly to email or phone communication (especially to schedule a meeting).
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Adhere to all prescheduled appointments, notifying your mentor if you are unable to attend a meeting and must reschedule.
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Come to each meeting prepared. Write down the issues you would like to discuss and the questions you would like to ask.
- Notify Alumni Relations or OPCD of any questions or concerns, especially regarding any changes to your ability to participate as a mentee so that your mentor can be assigned to another student.