Northwestern alumni mentors are accomplished professionals who are eager to share their perspective, knowledge, and lived experiences with current students or fellow alumni. Volunteering as a mentor is a great way to stay involved with the Northwestern community and an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives and careers of Northwestern alumni and students.
Expectations
We intentionally designed this program to be flexible for alumni. We know that you are busy and have many personal and professional commitments. You and your mentee have full control over your mentorship relationship in a way that works best for both of you.
However, we do have a few core expectations:
Set your relationship expectations right away regarding when and how you will engage with your mentee (see the Mentorship Agreement Form to help guide that conversation). Note that at least one meeting is required (either in person or via phone or video chat), and a typical mentorship includes three to six meetings.
Approach your mentorship relationship with respect, professionalism, and an open mind.
Respond to communications from your mentee in a timely manner.
Listen and ask open-ended questions, which will assist your mentee in thinking about their Northwestern journey.
Tell your classmates and peers about your experiences! As a growing program, we rely on word-of-mouth referrals to promote and strengthen the mentorship program.
Orientation and Training
The Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) has created an online, on-demand training video for both alumni mentors and mentees. You can watch it at any time. You do not have to be registered for the program to view the video, and viewing it is optional for participants.
Discover emerging talent that you could bring into your company or organization
Receive recognition and genuine appreciation from your mentee
Refine your interpersonal and leadership skills
Gain fresh perspectives and new ways of thinking from your mentee
Help shape and influence future talent
Deepen your understanding of your field by sharing what you know; as the old saying goes, “You don’t really understand a subject until you try to teach it.”
Feel a strong sense of purpose and fulfillment by contributing to the success of current and future alumni
Stay actively engaged and involved with the Northwestern community
Best Practices for Mentors
Most mentees appreciate clear and frequent feedback. The most effective mentors are transparent, authentic, and communicate with clarity and purpose. Mentees may be seeking constructive input, encouraging observations, or practical advice that they can apply immediately. Ask your mentee what kind of feedback they want; give them the opportunity to share their preferred communication style and help you gauge their comfort with direct, potentially critical, feedback. The relationship should be mutually beneficial. Do not forget that this relationship can be just as beneficial to you as it is to your mentee. Be intentional about your own goals and take time to reflect on what your mentee can teach you—about the industry you both work in, generational perspectives, new trends in technology, etc. Do not hesitate to invite your mentee to share their insights and answer your questions!
Advisor: Sharing your story with your mentee and reflecting on choices you might have made differently or advice you wish you had received are important parts of the mentorship process. Passing along lessons learned and practical tips from your career journey can be incredibly valuable to your mentee. Guide: Listen attentively. Ask thoughtful questions. Invite your mentee to talk through their strengths, ambitions, goals, and dreams. Support them in setting realistic expectations or encourage them to aim higher. The strongest mentors do not simply provide answers; they listen carefully and help mentees uncover solutions on their own.
Motivator: Encouragement matters. Inspire your mentee to try new things, foster open and honest dialogue, and communicate your confidence in their abilities. Offering positive reinforcement and sincere praise can go a long way in boosting your mentee’s confidence.
Resource: Sharing tools and resources such as articles, websites, and podcasts can be very helpful. Ultimately, the most valuable resource you can offer is your human capital; introduce your mentee to your professional contacts and teach them how to properly build and sustain their network.
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:
We encourage face-to-face meetings whenever possible. In-person conversations are often the most meaningful and impactful for both participants. If meeting in person is not an option, mentors and mentees are encouraged to meet virtually using video tools such as Skype, FaceTime, or Google Hangouts.
A mentorship relationship, when done well, benefits both individuals. The key is taking time to be thoughtful and clear about needs and expectations. Mentors and mentees should reflect on what they hope to gain from the experience and discuss those goals openly.
Mentors and mentees should foster an environment grounded in trust, discretion, and mutual respect. Confidentiality is essential to building rapport. Growth also depends on honesty and transparency—acknowledging mistakes and professional limitations can lead to meaningful learning and personal 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 progress. We hope that you will take every opportunity to share your experience and suggestions for improvement. You may also send feedback directly to mentor@northwestern.edu.
