"What happens after I find a mentor?"
The first step in the ATMentor process is for you to recognize a need to be mentored. The next step is finding a mentor (link to how to find a mentor suggestions). After you have explored your options and found your own ATMentor the choices for what to do next are really up to you. Below are some recommended steps that you may wish to consider in developing your mentoring relationship.
Evaluate
It is important to begin developing a relationship with your ATMentor. Do you feel comfortable with this person? Do they have the knowledge, skills, background, interests that you were seeking when you realized you needed a mentor? Paint him/her a mental picture of what you are looking for in a mentor, why you decided to seek out a mentor, and what you would like to see happen as a result of this mentoring relationship. You then need to listen, does your chosen ATMentor have the time, ability, and willingness to meet your vision? If the answer to that question is yes, then you may wish to move to the next step. If the answer is no, then you may want to consider politely explaining that this relationship may not be the right fit for you and move back to the Finding a Mentor stage.
Communicate
After you have determined that the mentor you have chosen is right for you, the next step is communication. This stage is probably the most important in a mentoring relationship. You need to communicate with your ATMentor about what you’d like to accomplish together, or if your intent is just to be able to talk. It is recommended that you talk about your future goals and professional aspirations and how those can also benefit from your relationship with your ATMentor. The better you are at communicating your goals and needs to your ATMentor the more equipped he or she will be in connecting you with resources and opportunities that may be able to help.
Redefine
At certain points in your experience with your ATMentor it is important to redefine your relationship. This may be at the end of a meeting, it may be at the end of a semester, it may be when you graduate. During these times it is important to decide if you both are interested in continuing your meetings, correspondence, etc. and what that looks like. This should be a two sided conversation and that the decisions agreed upon together. At the end of the day the goal of ATMentors is to provide open doors and open minds to students, and we hope to accomplish that in a positive and beneficial manner.
Feedback
The coordinator for the ATMentors program hopes to develop a system that is optimal for students to be able to find beneficial and caring mentors all across campus. By providing feedback on your experiences or suggestions and ideas for improvements that may be made, the program will be able to continually grow and develop in support of students. Please send any feedback to atmentors@tamu.edu.
