MENTORSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE

United We Grow: A Mentoring Program Resource Guide

(for mentors and mentees and anyone interested in learning more about leadership and mentorship)

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Unsure what to talk about in a mentoring session? Browse the information below for ideas of questions to ask or topics to discuss together. 

Talking Points

  1. Knowledge and Skill Transfer
  2. Personal Growth
  3. Networking and Connections
  4. Feedback and Advice
  5. Career Guidance
  6. Emotional Support
  7. Professional or Education History
  8. Goal Setting

Representation and Role Modeling

  1. Addressing Gender Bias
  2. Work-Life Balance and Parenthood
  3. Networking and Advocacy
  4. Empowerment and Self-Confidence
  5. Building Supportive Networks

Questions Mentees Can Ask Their Mentors

  1. How can I improve _____ skills?
  2. Which skills areas should I focus on to advance in my career, education, or other areas?
  3. Which skills do you think I need to improve on?
  4. How did you learn to_____?
  5. How did you get your start in ______?
  6. Was there anything you wish you knew or did differently when you first started?
  7. How did you reach your current positions? 
  8. What methods have you used to inspire employees or others in the past?
  9. How can I effectively address conflict at work?
  10. How do I keep my employees focused when there are internal rumors?
  11. How have you maintained work-life balance? What would you have done differently?
  12. Where have you volunteered that has made an impact on your development?
  13. Are you where you thought you'd be in your industry?
  14. What is your dream job?
  15. How do you create happiness or contentness in your current role?
  16. What is something you'd like to change about your industry?
  17. Did you have a mentor at any point during your career? How did that impact you?
  18. What drew you to this opportunity through Women United?

Questions Mentors Can Ask Their Mentees

  1. What do you want out of your career?
  2. How does your career role fit into your long-term career path?
  3. What do you feel like is missing from your current role or path?
  4. How would you describe your leadership style?
  5. What's going well in your role? What could be different? Better?
  6. What is your most and least effective communication style?
  7. What goals do you want to achieve in the next 1-3 months?
  8. How do you envirion my role in helping you accomplish your goals?
  9. How do you measure your personal or career succes?
  10. Do your passions align with your career path and goals?
  11. In your current role, have you thought about quitting? Why?
  12. Who do you currently talk to about struggles and successes at your job?
  13. What drew you to this opportunity through Women United?
  14. What do you hope to achieve through our mentorship?
  15. What do you consider your strenghts/weaknesses?
  16. What methods do you use when dealing with difficult situations?
  17. How do you like to receive feedback?
  18. Do you feel like you are part of the community , through work or personal experience?
  19. Who makes up your community, and how do you support each other?
  1. How would you describe your current occupation in ONE word?
  2. What is one personal trait that you feel like holds you back? 
  3. What is a situation where you surprised yourself with adaptability or ability to think outside of the box?
  4. If you could describe your personality as an ice cream flavor, which would it be?
  5. What is the weirdest gift or compliment you ever received?
  6. If you could be an animal, what would you be, and why?
  7. Who was your hero growing up?
  8. Would you rather start a colony on another planet or be the leader of a small country on Earth?
  9. If you could have a super power, what would it be?
  10. Who is your favorite person in the world?
  11. If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be, and why?
  12. What skill or talent do you wish you had?
  13. What would the title of your autobiography be?
  14. What talent did you used to have, but don't use anymore?
  15. If you could curate a museum gallery, what would you put in it?

This Resource Guide was created by Women United volunteers. If you have any additional favorite mentoring/leadership resources that should be added to this guide, please contact Annie@UnitedWayBemidji.org.
 

“The resources listed above are not endorsed by United Way of Bemidji Area or Women United, but are intended to be a broad overview of resources that may be of interest to United We Grow participants.”