“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” — Isaac Newton
Welcome to Vision 2020 Mentoring.
Vision 2020 Mentoring program connects MSU Technology students to our Vision 2020 alumni network for professional development and guidance towards a successful and rewarding career. Students will be matched with mentors who will be the sounding board on all the dreams and aspirations.
Good mentoring is discipline-agnostic. Whether you’re a mentor to an Engineering student or marketing manager, the same principles apply. The best mentorships are more like the relationship between a parent and adult child than between a boss and employee. They’re characterized by mutual respect, trust, shared values, and good communication, and they find their apotheosis in the mentee’s transition to a mentor.
Network effect for good.
For student.
The best student mentees are those who approach the relationship committed, eager, prepared, and goal-oriented. Students need to respect the mentor’s time as well. Whether making a choice about a major, internship and/or career track, or considering career transitions, graduate school opportunities, and/or basic life choices, students gain an objective professional's perspective. In some cases, students may be identified as potential interns or new hires, though this is not the relationship's primary purpose. Students who are mentored, build new mentoring skills. We look forward to senior MSU students to become mentors to other younger MSU students. Indeed, professional relationships and friendships develop due to a rewarding mentoring relationship that may last a lifetime.
For mentors.
When many of us hear a request to “Give back” to our MSU alma mater, we think of financial donations and dollar or Rupee signs. But MSU alumni mentoring programs provide a fabulous opportunity for alumni of all ages to donate their time and invaluable experience to current students. They can share their career paths and experiences and introduce students to their workplace and range of responsibilities from real-world examples. Alumni can use the community to network and make connections with the student body.
Network with leaders.
Mentoring to open doors.
Vision 2020 Mentoring program makes it possible for alumni to connect with MSU technology and engineering students in various ways, from an email exchange, virtual meetings over Zoom, to in-person meetings, and small group gatherings. Alumni serve as an objective sounding board for students’ ideas, ask thoughtful questions, and suggest resources to assist the students.
Five types of mentors every student needs.
Mentors can help students “define and express [their] inner calling,” says leadership expert Anthony Tjan. “But rarely can one person give you everything you need to grow.” In a TED Talk, Tjan identifies five types of mentors every student need:
The expert. If students want to be the best in their field, they should seek out “the most iconic figures in that area,” says Tjan. Students might find this mentor among faculty or alumni who work in the field they’re interested in. These mentors “help [students] identify, realize and hone [their] strengths towards the closest state of perfection as possible,” adds Tjan.
The champion. “These are people who are advocates and who have [a student’s] back,” says Tjan. These mentors help students land opportunities and connect them to other helpful individuals.
The anchor. “We’re all going to hit speed bumps and go through uncertainty in life,” says Tjan. “So, we need someone who can give us a psychological lift and help us see light through the cracks during challenging times.” A friend or family member can help students persist when they encounter obstacles to graduation.
The copilot. Every student needs a peer who will act as a sounding board, advisor, and supporter. This relationship works best when it’s reciprocal, says Tjan. The students should be “committed to supporting each other, collaborating with each other, and holding each other accountable. And when [students] have a copilot, both the quality of [their] work and [their] engagement level improves,” he adds.
The mentee. “When we say the word ‘mentor,’ we often conjure up the image of an older person or teacher,” says Tjan. “But I think the counterpoint is as important.” Students who have mentor roles on campus should use the opportunity to “collect feedback on [their] leadership style, engage with the younger generation, and keep [their] perspectives fresh and relevant,”recommends Tjan.
FAQs for Mentors
How do I sign up for mentoring ?
You can sign up for mentoring by filling out a google form and pledge to take on a few students for an academic year at MSU. Sign up as mentor now.
How much time do I need to devote?
Mentoring is always a personal 1:1 session. We recommend that you setup sessions with your assigned students and budget about 30 minutes to an hour twice a month per student.
Who will assign the students to me?
The MSU Alumni Office and Vision 2020 mentoring team will match a student with a mentor.
What skills do I need for mentorship ?
We will match mentees to mentors based on the sign up form, however, it is not necessary to have the same technology discipline to mentor students. A mentor will be able to reach out to other mentors for cross-skill support.
How can I be effective in mentoring?
Guiding students in exercising Soft skills development, communication skills, critical thinking, and Pointing to resources (like blog, TED-Talk, etc.), and profession skills development will be most helpful.
What should be my approach to mentorship?
A mentor should help the mentee identify goals and challenges and set priorities for relevant personal growth. We should inspire students to take responsibility for their own self-reflection and development. There should be no coercion or mentor agenda.
FAQs for Students
How often can I connect with my mentor?
The real frequency of meeting can be adjusted by agreement between a mentor and a student but in general, 30 minutes to an hour, every other week should be sufficient. Remember your mentor is a volunteer. Be respectful of their time and be prompt when scheduling your meeting. Come prepared with your questions. It is advisable to share your questions/context via email with the mentor prior to the meeting.
Will mentor guide me with my job search?
Mentors are not there to assist you in your specific job search, but prepare you for a real-world professional career. Avoid putting the mentor in an awkward position by asking for specific recommendation letters, job referrals, or money.
How can I be a good mentee?
Take responsibility for your own learning. Ask good questions, be prepared to follow through, and keep your mentor informed of the action-items you took. There is no obligation for you to take every suggestion by the mentor, but do keep him/her informed of what you agreed to follow through.
How can establish trust with my mentor?
Mentors are here to establish deep trusting relationship where you can share your aspirations and fears. Seek out help without hesitation, but also be realistic in setting your expectations. Try to set your expectations and goals clearly upfront with your mentor boldly.
Will mentor help with technical support?
Your assigned mentor may or may not be matched with your specific technology/engineering field. Recognize that your mentor brings a wealth of real-world experiences and suggestions on how to solve problems. Your mentor will help in networking with other mentors in specific areas of guidance.
Do I have to follow all suggestions?
Absolutely not. Your mentor may give you one or more suggestions, but do your own due diligence and don’t worry about offending your mentor if you didn’t take every suggestion into account. Take risks, be an active listener, and flexible in learning new ideas.
