Mentees are current Northwestern students or alumni seeking guidance as they navigate their career, consider new professional directions, or explore graduate school. They are motivated to grow professionally, build new skills, achieve long-term goals, and expand their professional networks to strengthen their competitive advantage in today’s workplace.
Expectations
Take the lead in shaping the mentorship experience. Be the first to reach out to your mentor, respond to messages promptly, and take initiative in scheduling regular in-person meetings when possible. One helpful tip is to end each meeting by asking, “When should we meet next?” This makes it easier to compare calendars and secure your next meeting time.
Establish clear expectations early about timing, communication preferences, and meeting formats (see the Mentorship Agreement Form to help guide that conversation).
Commit to the expectations and goals you set together.
Remain open to suggestions and feedback from your mentor. Critiques are shared with the goal of supporting your professional growth and development.
Approach every interaction with respect, professionalism, and an open mind.
Keep your goals and those of your mentor top of mind during each interaction. Pausing to ask, “What are we working toward?” can help you track progress and guide productive conversations. Be mindful of when the partnership has reached a natural stopping point. If the goals you set have been achieved, it may be time to find a new mentor and focus on a different set of objectives. If both of you are interested, you may choose to continue meeting—likely less frequently—or simply express appreciation and move forward. Some mentorships last a season; others can last a lifetime.
Tell your classmates and members of your Northwestern network about your experiences! As a growing program, we rely on referrals to help expand and promote the program.
Orientation and Training
For alumni mentees: The Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) offers an online, on-demand training video for both alumni mentors and alumni mentees. Program registration is not required to access the video, and participation is optional.
For student mentees: Current students who are interested in joining the program are required to watch a 10-minute online orientation as part of the registration process.
Gain valuable insight from a seasoned industry professional
Accelerate your professional development and growth
Expand your personal and professional network
Cultivate interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills
Receive support as you enter the workforce or navigate a career transition
Gain fresh perspectives and new ways of thinking from your mentor
Receive constructive feedback on personal and professional development challenges
Access resources and tools to help solve workplace challenges and conflicts
Achieve critical goals that you set
Stay actively engaged and involved with the Northwestern community
Best Practices for Mentees
As a mentee, you are encouraged to take initiative and guide the momentum of the mentorship. Reach out to your mentor regularly to schedule meetings or phone calls, and follow up within 24 hours of their responses. Set an agenda before each meeting to stay on track and ensure the conversation addresses all your questions. A simple way to keep things moving forward and ensure the next meeting is scheduled is to ask at the end of each conversation, “When should we meet next?”
Strong mentorships thrive when both individuals benefit. Mentors appreciate thoughtful, insightful questions—especially those that go beyond what can be found online. Share interesting articles, podcasts, or books that spark discussion or offer new perspectives. If you encounter someone in your professional circle who could be helpful to your mentor, offer an introduction when appropriate. Throughout each meeting, keep both your goals and your mentor’s priorities in mind, as working toward shared outcomes is essential to a successful experience.
Express appreciation for your mentor’s time often and show that appreciation by respecting it. Arrive punctually, keep your emails and discussions concise, and be mindful of scheduling logistics. When meeting in person, ask what location is most convenient for your mentor, such as their office or a nearby spot. Sending follow-up thank you emails or a thoughtful note after a particularly meaningful interaction or discussion can go a long way.
As in any professional relationship, follow-up matters. Share updates on how your mentor’s advice influenced your decisions, or let them know how an introduction or suggestion paid off. These moments demonstrate appreciation and highlight the impact of their guidance. If remembering follow-ups is challenging, add a reminder to your calendar to help you stay consistent.
Use your time with your mentor to discuss challenges thoughtfully and focus on solutions. While it’s appropriate to seek advice on difficult situations, keep conversations constructive and professional. Avoid excessive venting or gossip. Your mentor’s time is precious, and solution-oriented discussions are the most productive.
Remember that your mentor chose to volunteer their time because they enjoy supporting others. Be genuine, listen closely, ask for their perspectives, and engage with curiosity. Authenticity builds trust and strengthens mentorship over time.
Follow these tips to feel prepared and confident!
Do your homework. Review your mentor’s LinkedIn profile, company website, and bio listed on the Mentorship Program platform to better understand their career path, background, and areas of experience.
Reflect on your expectations and goals. What do you hope to gain from your first conversation? What are your longer-term goals for the mentorship and how will this partnership support them? What do you need and expect from your mentor? Arriving prepared, even after a few minutes of thoughtful reflection, will help guide a productive discussion about expectations, roles, and shared priorities.
Come with questions. Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask. While conversations often feel natural and informal, having questions ready can help you stay focused and keep the discussion moving.
Share your intentions. Open your conversation by saying, “Today I’d like to accomplish…” and outline two or three topics you hope to cover. This approach will keep you on track and anchor the conversation to your goals.
Have a good time. Relax and enjoy yourself. Your mentor has volunteered their time because they’re genuinely interested in supporting you and sharing what they’ve learned.
When the time feels right, consider becoming a mentor (alumni only). Anyone, at any age or life stage, can offer a valuable perspective. Remember, you can be both a mentor and a mentee at the same time, a way to grow and give back.
Reminders and Advice
When matched, mentors and mentees should promptly establish a set of expectations for the mentorship experience by completing the Mentorship Agreement Form, also found in the Resources section. The agreement invites both parties to outline their goals, which is critical for a successful mentorship. Learn more about effective goal-setting by exploring these resources:
Whenever feasible, we encourage you to meet face-to-face meetings, as in-person conversations are often the most engaging and impactful. If meeting in person is not an option, mentors and mentees are encouraged to meet virtually using video platforms such as Skype, FaceTime, or Google Hangouts.
A mentorship relationship, when done right, is mutually beneficial for both parties. The key to achieving this is taking the time to be thoughtful and upfront about your needs and expectations for the relationship. Mentors and mentees should each reflect on what they hope to gain from the experience and discuss those goals openly.
Mentors and mentees should commit to fostering an environment rooted in discretion, trust, and mutual respect. Confidentiality plays an essential role in building rapport. Personal and professional growth depend on honesty and transparency. Acknowledging mistakes and limitations can lead to meaningful learning and long-term development.
Clear, measurable goals are essential to a successful mentorship. Articulating thoughtful objectives provides direction, creates motivation, and allows both parties to assess progress over time. Goals should guide the relationship forward, and progress should be revisited regularly during meetings. Take the goal-setting process seriously and rely on our worksheets and planning tools to support your success. These resources can be found in the Resources section or by visiting these links:
You can expect to hear from the NAA periodically for updates on your experience. We welcome your insights and encourage you to share feedback or suggestions at any time. You may also send comments directly to mentor@northwestern.edu.
