IONL Mentoring Program

Sharing experience with the leaders of the future.

IONL wants to put the experience of current leaders in the hands of the leaders of the future.

As a mentor you have the opportunity to advance the knowledge and expertise of those new to the profession, or those who are not so new but want to grow.

As a mentee, you have the opportunity to learn from those who have expertise and who have faced the same challenges you will face as you move forward with your career.

Read through the roles and responsibilities below for mentors and mentees and prepare to improve the future!

Become a Mentor

Be a Mentee

Become a Mentor

Mentor Roles & Responsibilities

Phase 1: Identifying Roles

Have a clear understanding of why you want to be a mentor
Mentor with a realistic assessment of your skills and experience

Phase 2: Communicating Expectations

Have a clear understanding of your expectations for your mentee
Clearly communicate those expectations
Stay flexible in changing expectations or plans
Create goals with milestones and deliverables
Adapt your feedback to your mentee’s learning style
Be realistic about setting timelines

Phase 3: Working Together

Advise, do not dictate
Advise on what you know and admit the things you do not know
Give good examples/case studies
Recognize your mentee’s weaknesses and build on his/her strengths
Offer constructive feedback
Evaluate progress
Be your mentee’s supporter when he/she reaches his/her goals
Be consistent and reliable

Phase 4: Meeting All the Goals

After mentoring is completed, follow up on successes
Provide an evaluation of the experience

Repeat the mentoring process with others!

Apply to be an IONL Mentor

Be a Mentee

Mentee Roles & Responsibilities

Phase 1: Identifying Roles

Have a clear understanding of why you want to be mentored
Select a mentor based on criteria relevant to your goals

Phase 2: Communicating Expectations

Have a clear understanding of your expectations for your mentor
Clearly communicate those expectations
Stay flexible in changing expectations or plans
Create goals with milestones and deliverables
Inform your mentor about your preferred learning style
Be realistic about setting timelines

Phase 3: Working Together

Listen and contribute to the conversation
Understand that your mentor will not have all the answers
Accept constructive feedback
Set time aside for self-reflection
Evaluate progress
Celebrate success
Be consistent and reliable

Phase 4: Meeting All of the Goals

Provide your mentor with updates after the mentoring is completed
Provide an evaluation of the experience
Say thank you

Give back to the profession and volunteer to become an IONE mentor within your area of expertise!