Mentor Tip: Conversation Starters

Subject: Mentoring tips on conversation starters

A challenge faced by any electronic mentoring community is getting conversations started. As a mentor you have the responsibility to engage protégés in conversations that promote growth and build trust. Here are a few discussion ideas to get you started.

• Introduce yourself and ask protégés about themselves.
• Talk about your hobbies, favorite movies, books, music, family, community where you live, etc.
• Ask protégés about their hobbies, favorite books, music, family, school, academic and career plans, etc.
• Talk about your education (favorite classes, teachers, school).
• Talk about your first job.
• Talk about how you secured your current job. What specialized training have you had?
• Talk about how to locate an internship or job opportunity.
• Offer to help protégés develop or improve their résumés.
• Talk about interviewing techniques, such as dressing for success, answering specific questions, and disclosing disabilities.
• Talk about disability-related accommodations in school or on the job.
• Offer to help protégés locate summer employment or make career contacts.
• Talk about balancing school, work, and social life.
• Share websites you think protégés might find useful or interesting.