Mentor Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does the MBA International have a formal mentoring component to the program?
2. What exactly is mentoring? 
3. What guidelines are provided to mentors to help them form a successful partnership with MBA International students?
4. What guidelines are provided to mentees to help them form a successful partnership with a senior level executive?
5. Must mentors be currently employed with a large firm?
6. How will mentors be matched with mentees?
7. Can MBA International students find their own mentor?
8. What is the time commitment required?
9. Will there be any mentor training provided?
10. What if the mentor and mentee are not a good match?

1. Why does the MBA International have a formal mentoring component to the program?

The College of Management is dedicated to the growth and advancement of its students and believes that it is often a challenge for students to reach out for assistance and guidance from executives with more extensive experience and expertise whether in or outside a student’s own company. We want to provide students with access to positive role models to assist in their professional growth.

2. What exactly is mentoring?

A mentor is an experienced professional who forms an active helping relationship with a mentee. In the MBA International, the relationship is a planned partnership over the course of the students’ studies to achieve specific goals. A mentor helps a mentee through encouragement, inspiration, and advice and provides a sincere belief in the abilities of the mentee to succeed. They also provide professional assistance and may offer introductions to additional professionals who can help. A mentor gives constructive feedback and may serve as a career role model.

3. What guidelines are provided to mentors to help them form a successful partnership with MBA International students?

A mentor is encouraged to do the following throughout the program:

• Build trust and respect by being honest and using experience to guide through constructive dialog.
• Listen actively; talk through situations; ask clarifying questions.
• Guide towards solutions.
• Provide career coaching actively by sharing learning from experience.
• Let the mentee own the responsibility of setting the goals.
• Give objective feedback aimed at developing mentee’s capabilities.
• Offer advice when necessary.
• Be respectful of the mentee’s trust and maintain confidentiality in all matters disclosed during mentoring sessions.

4. What guidelines are provided to mentees to help them form a successful partnership with a senior level executive?

Mentees should know their goals and development needs, as well as their strengths. They encourage their mentor by providing sincere feedback to better enable the mentor to help. The following guidelines are intended to help the mentees build a successful partnership:

• Build trust and respect by being open and honest.
• Listen actively; talk through situations; ask clarifying questions.
• Own the responsibility of setting the goals.
• Receive feedback and take it objectively.
• Seriously consider the advice given.
• Be considerate of the mentor's time.
• Be respectful of the mentor’s trust and maintain confidentiality in all matters disclosed during mentoring sessions.

5. Must mentors be currently employed with a large firm?

No. We appreciate the mentor’s willingness to donate their valuable time and experience to such a worthy cause, however, mentors may be retirees, self-employed, or working for firms of various sizes and within a variety of industries. We do feel it is important for mentors to have at least 15 years management experience and a sincere interest in giving back to the community by sharing their current or past experience.

6. How will mentors be matched with mentees?

We have an application process that we ask all mentors and mentees to complete. This allows us to get an understanding of what the mentees are looking for and what the mentors feel they have to offer. We then take this information and match mentees with a mentor who can provide the type of guidance the mentee seeks.

 7. Can MBA International students find their own mentor?

Yes. If a student already has a mentor through his employer or a professional organization and this mentor is interested in supporting the program, we welcome their participation. We will have the student-designated mentor complete the application so there is a clear understanding of our expectations.

8. What is the time commitment required?

The MBA International program is a 20 month program. We are asking the mentors to commit to 2-4 hours per month, with one of those hours meeting face-to-face and the rest via phone or email. We are also asking for a commitment of 2 hours for a student and mentor orientation prior to the launch of the program.

 9. Will there be any mentor training provided?

Only executives with extensive management experience will be considered for mentors in the MBA International program. As experienced managers they are expected to have the expertise to assist the mid-level managers in the program by following the guidelines provided.

10. What if the mentor and mentee are not a good match?

Should personal differences become a challenge; the mentor and mentee both have an obligation to try to resolve the issues between themselves in a professional manner. If an impasse is reached, the student should contact the program administrator for assistance in finding a resolution or a new placement.