So What, Exactly, Does a Mentor Do?

The Mentor Project asks that the mentor spend a 4 to 6 hours each month with the student. Group activities are fun, but it is expected that the mentor and student will spend time together, just the two of you. This time may be spent in a number of ways. The Mentor Coordinator will ask you to document your activities and hours regularly. The following are some recommended activities that students and mentors have found valuable in the past:

Expected Activities:

• Attend periodic "mentor only" support meetings.
• Attend special events such as Recognition and Awards Events.
• Make a point of meeting your student’s parent(s), early in the relationship.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:

• Arrange one or more job shadows. Have your student follow you around as you perform your work. Have your student follow a worker that has agreed to host your student for a prearranged period of time. Or be a student for a day–shadow your student.
• Talk. Tell your student those things that you wish you had known when you were in high school. You can do this anywhere, any time–over lunch, walking in the park, on the phone–whatever works.
• Ask questions. Teenagers need somebody to ask, "What do you want to do after high school?" and "What’s your plan for how to get there?" They will also need help answering those questions.
• Attend recreational and/or cultural activities. Students need more exposure to enriching activities such as visits to museums, attending plays, concerts, or sporting events. These experiences can pique interest and encourage students to pursue new areas of learning.
• Tutor. Mentors should feel free to help students with homework. Getting involved with their curriculum is a good way to relate to students and gain insight into the educational program. Mentors may also arrange for someone else to tutor the student.
• Attend student activities. If your student is involved in extracurricular activities, is employed, or is involved in activities outside of the school environment, attend those functions, when appropriate, to show support.
• Do things in groups. Mentors should be encouraged to join in activities with other mentors and students. Participants in mentor programs enjoy meeting, interacting, and sharing experiences with one another.

You need not limit your activities to this list of suggestions – be creative. The goal is to provide experiences that the student’s usual environment does not provide. The more "real world" exposure a mentor can provide a student, the more that student will learn. Students will gain new perspectives on the working world and their own education and potential.

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