Pre-Meeting Assignment

Read the Mindful Habits article Feeling Overwhelmed? Use The 6 Areas of Focus To Get Back On Track https://vereggen.com/six-areas-of-focus/ For each of the 6 areas, jot down your responses to the following questions. Remember, there are no wrong answers, including “I don’t know”.

1. Why is this area important to me?
2. What do I want to accomplish in this area?
3. Brainstorm: what one action can I take that will improve my situation in this area?

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What does “living a balanced life mean to you? What does an ideal work life balance look and feel like for you? Has that changed over time?
2. What would be some indicators that there is a lack of balance? How would that look and feel?
3. How have changes to the way we work brought new opportunities and challenges to balancing the various domains and roles of our lives?
4. What activities do you like doing, and give you a sense of peace, fulfillment, joy, and other “feel-good” feelings? Which ones are important for you to maintain in your life at this point?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. Option 1: Using the “wheel of life” model introduced in the article by Mindful Habits, map out the areas of your life following the steps outlined in the Mindful Habits article The Wheel of Life: A Work/Life Balance Self-Assessment Tool https://vereggen.com/wheel-of-life/
2. Option 2: Learn about mind-mapping as a technique for organizing aspects of your life. Search Google Images to find examples of how others have used mind mapping to visualize and analyze work life balance. Use your creative and analytical skills to begin drafting your personal work life balance mind map.

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What techniques or tools do you find helpful for prioritizing responsibilities and tasks? For managing your time?
2. What are some key ways that the people, organizations, and communities in your life help you to achieve balance?
3. How do you boost your resilience at work? What self-awareness habits do you employ?
4. What boundaries or limits do you set to help you maintain balance? Have you ever declined a task or project in order to leave time for other activities or relationships?
5. How do you transition from work to home? Are there certain routines or family or friendship rituals that you’ve adopted that work for you, for instance?
6. Are there any daily routines you try to keep that promote self-care?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Showcase your understanding about your work life balance by adding insights, relationships, and details to your work/life balance Wheel of Life or mind-map! Be sure to include actions you can take to improve your situation! Once finalized, upload in PDF or JPEG to share with your mentor.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. Mindful Habits article The Wheel of Life: A Work/Life Balance Self-Assessment Tool: https://vereggen.com/wheel-of-life/
2. Mindful Habits article Feeling Overwhelmed? Use The 6 Areas of Focus To Get Back On Track: https://vereggen.com/six-areas-of-focus/
3. Lifehack How to Use a Mind Map to Organize Your Life: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/how-use-mind-map-organize-your-life.html
4. A sample mind map for showing the related work in general projects: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/A-sample-mind-map-for-showing-the-related-work-in-general-projects_fig1_268864501

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. Upload your current resume and (if available) draft cover letter
2. Be prepared to discuss with your mentor: Who is the target audience of your cover letter? What industry/industries are in your focus? What occupations/positions/job roles are you planning to apply for?
3. Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What are your goals for reviewing your cover letter?
2. Are you currently entering the job search or are there other opportunities you are seeking?
3. What should the cover letter include? What are recruiters in the industry looking for in a cover letter?
4. Should the cover letter address any “red flags” evident in the resume? If so, how?
5. How can the cover letter highlight aspects about your skills, qualities and experience that are not already featured in your resume?
6. What about a cover letter makes a candidate stand out and move to the next stage of the hiring process? What factors or qualities about cover letters make moving on less likely?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Submit a brief including: (1) links to 2-3 job listings or other opportunities that reflect your interests and goals; and (2) A first draft cover letter to 1 of the prospective employers from the job listings you’ve gathered.

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What is the overall impression conveyed in the draft cover letter? What qualifications, experiences, and qualities are evident and highlighted?
2. To what extent do these align with the opportunities you are seeking?
3. Are there any flaws or inaccuracies that should be corrected?
4. What are some suggestions for refining/elevating the quality of your cover letter?
5. How would this letter look similar or different when targeting another job listing?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Final draft cover letters for two job listings. Be sure to include the link to the job listings if different from your first deliverable.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. Check out the resources on cover letter writing available SUNY Potsdam Career Center https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/resources
2. Harvard Business Review offers resources and guidance for Business Writing; if you are unable to access full articles online, check your college library online databases or talk with a librarian. https://hbr.org/topic/business-writing?ab=articlepage-topic
3. Indeed offers examples and advice in How To Write An Entry Level Cover Letter https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-write-an-entry-level-cover-letter-with-examples
4. Search Indeed's Library of Resumes and Cover Letters https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters
5. Get expert advice and excellent resources for writing effective cover letters at CareerOneStop https://www.careeronestop.org/JobSearch/Resumes/cover-letters.aspx

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Select 2 job postings or job descriptions of interest to you that include a detailed description of the roles and required skills for the position.

 

1. What more can you learn about the position and the company from the company’s website and other online sources?
2. What are some ways that your values, skills and interests match up?
3. What sorts of challenges might arise? What obstacles may you have to navigate in the position?
4. Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What are some ways that your values, skills and interests match up with the job descriptions you’ve gathered?
2. What are some good strategies for responding to the question, “tell me about yourself” during an interview?
3. What’s the most surprising, difficult, or challenging situation you’ve experienced during a job interview? How did you handle it?
4. What are your top 5 Do’s and Don’ts for job interviewing?
5. How do you handle nervousness when interviewing for a job?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Browse/review interviewing resources/guidance provided through your college’s Career Center. Read the Indeed article on How to Use the STAR Interview Response Technique.

 

1. Review the list of behavioral questions provided. While the phrasing of these questions may vary from interview to interview, the general intent of the question typically remains the same so it can be helpful to prepare your answers with that in mind.

  For example, the interviewer might ask about “a time you were under pressure,” or they might ask about “how you handle stress.”.

1. Write down the various situations you’ve handled in your professional history that would display the sorts of strengths you’ll need to succeed in the role and that address some of the most common behavioral interview questions. Prepare each example using the STAR framework.
2. Practice talking through your answers out loud to make sure each story is as concise and coherent as possible. This will also help you feel more confident and natural when delivering the answers in an interview.
3. Be prepared to talk through these situations with your mentor at your next meeting.

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

Suggested mock interview questions:

1. Describe a time when you were under a lot of pressure at work or school. How did you react?
2. Talk about a time when you set and achieved a specific highly challenging goal.
3. Can you describe a time you worked with a team to complete a project?
4. Share an example of a time you had to make a difficult decision. What did you do?

  Following the mock interview:

1. What are some suggestions for improving my executive presence?
2. How could I have communicated my idea more clearly?
3. Does my communication style support the message I intended to deliver?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Write a thank you email letter to your mentor that details your thoughts on the following:

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. Your next steps for preparing for job interviews.
3. Two strategies you plan to adopt to hone your interviewing skills.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. Check out the resources on interviewing available SUNY Potsdam Career Center https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/resources
2. Indeed: How to Prepare for an Interview https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview
3. Indeed article on How to Use the STAR Interview Response Technique https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-use-the-star-interview-response-technique
4. Top Resume What is Your Body Language Saying About You https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/what-is-your-body-language-saying-about-you-during-an-interview
5. Indeed Thank you Letter to Mentor https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/thank-you-letter-to-mentor

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Visit and browse your college’s Career Center website and/or in-person to learn how they help students (just like you!) explore majors and careers.

1. What kind of information and resources are available through your college’s Career Center to learn more about majors and careers?
2. Who on your campus can answer your questions about careers and how they relate to academic majors? Internships?
3. Where’s a great place to start exploring majors and careers?

Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What are you passionate about? What makes you enthusiastic?
2. Thinking about your student or professional roles, what skills and activities do you enjoy the most, and why?
3. What factors are important to you when considering a career path at this point in your life? Has that changed over time?
4. Brainstorm: What kind of information would be helpful to better understand this major/career and if it’s a path you want to pursue?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Narrow your focus to one or two majors/careers.

1. Browse, search, and review online resources to gather facts and information about a major, field, and/or occupation of your interest. Resources are provided. What kind of information is available? Which information is relevant and important for you to know?
2. Create a “Profile” of the major, field, and/or occupation in written format, highlighting the type of information you have gathered your key findings from the exercise. Use the Career Profiling Worksheet and any formats (diagram or chart, list, narrative, etc.) you find helpful to communicate the information.

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. Reflecting on the profile, how does this information relate to your own interests, passions, values?
2. What questions remain about this or other majors or careers?
3. What kinds of hands-on, real-world experience would you like to gain more insight into the career or field?
4. Are there opportunities for levering or building social connections to learn more?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Write a thank you email letter to your mentor that details your thoughts on the following:

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. Your ideas for next steps to learn more, including through real-world experience.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. US News & World Report 10 Things to Know About Selecting a College Major https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/10-things-to-know-about-selecting-a-college-major
2. Princeton Review Guide to Choosing College Majors
3. https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/choosing-college-majors
4. https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/fastest-declining-occupations.htm
5. The College Post, How to Choose Your College Major: A Complete Guide
6. https://thecollegepost.com/choose-college-major/
7. OneStop Explore Careers https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/explore-careers.aspx
8. OneStop Occupation Profile https://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/Toolkit/Occupation-Profile.aspx
9. SUNY Potsdam Career Information and Resources https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/explore-your-path/career-information-and-resources
10. Browse O*Net Career Clusters https://www.onetonline.org/find/career
11. Check out these resources available SUNY Potsdam Career Center:
12. Interest Assessment https://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/Toolkit/interest-assessment.aspx
13. Work Values Matcher https://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/ExploreCareers/what-are-your-work-values.aspx
14. Indeed Thank you Letter to Mentor https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/thank-you-letter-to-mentor

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

The difference between a goal and a dream is the written word. -Gene Donohue Think about where you see yourself in 1-5 years. Record your responses and be ready to share and discuss these with your mentor.

1. What does success look like for you? What kind of work are you doing? What is the career you have?
2. What about areas other than career, such as health, family, education, spirituality, and social life?
3. What kind of resources and information would be helpful to you in formulating your long-term goals?

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. Where would you like to be in one year? In five years?
2. What would be the perfect role for you? Imagine you are in that role. It’s 3 pm on a Thursday. What are you doing? Why would you like it so much?
3. Why are these goals important to you? How do they align with your values, interests, and passions?
4. Has your definition of success changed over the years?
5. What framework or tools do you use for long-range visioning and planning around your personal and professional goals?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Review the Indeed article SMART Goals: Definitions and Examples to learn more about the SMART goals framework and its use for formulating and setting goals. Use the SMART framework to formulate, define, and prepare a written draft of 1 professional goal and 1 personal goal (outside of profession/career). Recognize this is a first draft, and make note of any criteria that need clarification or further development in the following meeting. Make sure you address the following questions for each goal:

1. Specific: What exactly do you want to accomplish? What outcome(s) or change are you wanting to make happen?
2. Measurable: How can you track your progress? What kind of inputs and/or outputs will you use to measure progress?
3. Achievable: Can you achieve the desired outcome with your current resources (time, skills, etc.)? If not, what resources are needed?
4. Relevant: How does this goal align with your values and ambitions? Why is this goal important to you?
5. Time-bound: By what point in time will you accomplish this goal? Can you identify a specific date or month, for instance?

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. How was your experience with the goal-setting exercise using the SMART framework? Are there criteria you would like to further develop or refine?
2. What strengths and experiences will help you achieve your goals? What are some potential sources of support?
3. What are some potential obstacles?
4. What are the action steps you need to take this year to make progress and focus your efforts? What about in the next 2-5 years?
5. How will you monitor and assess your progress to stay on track or make adjustments if needed?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Document your SMART Goals and create an Action Plan using the SMART Goals Action Plan Worksheet (1 goal per worksheet) and share your plans with your mentor.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. SMART Goals: Definitions and Examples https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/smart-goals
2. Setting Goals to Improve Your Career https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/setting-goals-to-improve-your-career
3. Mindtools offers a range of resources and guidance on goal setting. Free access up to 3 articles: https://www.mindtools.com/

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Using the Industry Profiling Worksheet, complete Part 1: The Basics by conducting preliminary research and jotting down your notes on an industry of interest to you. Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing this industry today?
2. What are your insights on globalization and the future of this industry?
3. Are there certain career paths in this industry you anticipate growing, opening up, or shrinking in the near future?
4. Who are the influencers - experts, industry leaders, and companies - that you follow?
5. Which digital resources, such as online magazines, listservs, blogs, are on your reading list? How do you use these resources to keep up with developments in the industry?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Revisit the Industry Profiling Worksheet to complete Part 2: Digging Deeper.

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What decision netted you the most success in your career?
2. What’s the most unexpected obstacle you’ve had to face?
3. What habits have you developed that help you be successful in this industry?
4. What advice would you give someone entering this industry in the next ____ years? What advice would you give for becoming a leader in this industry?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Write a thank you email letter to your mentor that details your thoughts on the following:

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. How what you have learned is useful for making decisions about your career path.
3. Your next steps (e.g. concrete action steps you plan to take to learn more about the industry or related careers, build needed skills, etc.).

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. Gather information on industry trends from Career One Stop https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/research-industries.aspx
2. Bain.com offers insights on a range of industries https://www.bain.com/insights/industry-insights/
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
4. Bloomberg Business Week Markets https://www.bloomberg.com/markets
5. Check out the resources available SUNY Potsdam Career Center https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/resources

  Use your favorite search engine (e.g. Google) and your school library’s database to research industry insights! Suggestion: begin with a keyword search using these terms: [industry name] industry insights (example: marketing industry insights).  

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Keep a 2-day journal of the tools and technologies you use in your various roles as a student and on the job (if currently employed). How do they help you manage and perform your work? How do they help you communicate and collaborate with others? Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What technologies do you use in your everyday work roles? How do they help you do your work?
2. What’s a good methodology or tool for managing team-based work projects and commitments?
3. What are your preferred methods or techniques for evaluating the pros and cons of a strategy or course of action?
4. How do you learn to use new tools and technologies? What are some tips for getting comfortable using new tools?
5. What tools and techniques are emerging? What are the “must haves” in the toolkits of those entering the field?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Learn about mind-mapping as a technique for organizing complex information and their relationships. Search Google Images to find examples of how others have used mind mapping to visualize and analyze information. Use your creative and analytical skills to begin drafting a mind-map or other type of graphic displaying what you have learned about the types of tools and techniques in use or emerging in your field.

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What does your mind map reveal about the tools and technologies in the industry?
2. What questions do you have based upon the mind map you’ve created?
3. What kinds of hands-on, real-world experiences (internships, field observations) would likely provide good opportunities to learn more about these tools/techniques?
4. What one or two techniques or tools would you like to gain proficiency, and why?
5. What are some suggested next steps for doing so?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Showcase what you have learned by adding levels, relationships, and details to your mind-map! Once finalized, upload in PDF or JPEG to share with your mentor.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

Example Resources on Industry-specific Tools & Techniques

1. Top 25 Lean Tools & Techniques [for Manufacturing] https://www.leanproduction.com/top-25-lean-tools/
2. Positive Psychology 13 Social Work Methods & Interventions for Helping Others https://positivepsychology.com/social-work-methods/
3. Indeed Guide To Understanding Marketing Tools https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/marketing-tools

  Mind-mapping and graphic design tools (free options):

1. MindMapping: What is a Mind Map? https://www.mindmapping.com/mind-map
2. Piktochart https://piktochart.com/
3. MS Office https://templates.office.com/en-us/posters
4. Canva https://www.canva.com/pricing/

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Using the Career Profiling Worksheet, complete Part 1: The Basics by conducting preliminary research and jotting down your notes on a career of interest to you. Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What big questions, issues, work environments, and job duties excite you?
2. What inspired/s you to enter into this line of work?
3. What surprised you about this line of work that you didn’t anticipate?
4. How would you define success in this role?
5. What attitudes do you need to have to be successful in this line of work?
6. What are the skills and/or information in this line of work that you can only learn by doing?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Revisit the Career Profiling Worksheet to complete Part 2: Digging Deeper.

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. How do your needs, skills, and strengths fit with this career?
2. Where do you see this role in 5 years? How do you think it will have changed? What skills do you think will be most valued or sought after?
3. Was there ever a role you applied for and landed, but weren't 100% qualified to do? How did you proceed?
4. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Write a thank you email letter to your mentor that details your thoughts on the following:

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. How what you have learned is useful for making decisions about your career path.
3. Your next steps (e.g. concrete action steps you plan to take to learn more about the career, build needed skills, etc.).

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook https://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
2. Career One Stop Career Profiles https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/career-profiles.aspx
3. Indeed offers advice for using job search tools to learn about job roles at https://blog.linkedin.com/2019/february/discover-quick-helpful-insights-on-your-job-search
4. Check out the resources available SUNY Potsdam Career Center https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/resources

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Jot down your thoughts in response to the following questions:

1. What does it mean to “make the most of your college experience”? What would a student who is “making the most” of it actually do?
2. Imagine you are an “outsider” to the college seeking to learn about the institution and opportunities for students to make the most of their college experience. What would you want to know? Where would you look to find out? Who or what would you consult?
3. What are 1-2 goals you have for this mentoring experience?

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What does it mean to “make the most of your college experience”? What would a student do who is “making the most” of it?
2. How did you develop connections with your professors outside of the classroom?
3. What do you consider to be the most useful/valuable yet often overlooked or underutilized resource(s) for students at this school?
4. What types of student activities are available that can be helpful for developing your personal and professional interests and skills?
5. How do you learn about opportunities to get involved at this college? What channels do you use?
6. Are there interests you have and would like to pursue?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Conduct a “scavenger hunt” using digital and other resources to gain a fuller understanding of the resources and networks that the college offers to support you and your success. Don’t forget to include extracurricular activities, student-organized groups and events, and activities and resources associated with your academic program! Create a table using Excel, MS Word, Google Docs or Google Sheets in which you list these resources and networks and jot down notes about how they support students and their experience and success. List as many as you can!

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. Given the range of options to get involved, what meets your interests and needs? How do you decide which ones to pursue?
2. How did/does your needs and interest evolve as a college student over the course of your academic career?
3. How did/do you juggle academics, extracurricular and sports, friends, family, and a job?
4. Did/do you take advantage of opportunities to get involved in the broader community, such as through volunteerism, participation in local events or organizations, or work? How does this enhance the college experience?
5. What are your suggestions for “making the most” of the college experience? What are your recommended next steps?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Write a thank you email letter to your mentor that details your thoughts on the following:

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. 2-3 ways you intend to increase engagement by building social connections and accessing resources to enhance your college experience.
3. Your concrete next steps.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. Check out the resources available SUNY Potsdam Career Center https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/resources
2. SUNY Potsdam Academic Calendar https://www.potsdam.edu/academics/academic-calendar
3. SUNY Potsdam Academic Resources https://www.potsdam.edu/academics/resources
4. SUNY Potsdam Lougheed Center for Applied Learning https://www.potsdam.edu/academics/appliedlearning
5. SUNY Potsdam Campus Life: Get Involved https://getinvolved.potsdam.edu/organization/campuslife
6. SUNY Potsdam Health & Wellness https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/wellness
7. SUNY Potsdam Student Support https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/support
8. SUNY Potsdam Student Success Center https://www.potsdam.edu/academics/resources/student-success-center
9. SUNY Potsdam Veteran Support Services https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/support/veteran-support-services
10. LinkedIn How to Maximize Your College Experience https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-maximize-your-college-experience-steven-sutherland/
11. Psychology Today 11 Ways to Get the Most Out of the College Experience https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/culture-in-mind/201406/11-ways-get-the-most-out-the-college-experience

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Read this article by Career Builder https://press.careerbuilder.com/2017-10-27-More-Than-Half-of-Workers-Do-Not-Negotiate-Job-Offers-According-to-New-CareerBuilder-Survey Imagine you have received a job offer for the position of your dreams. What’s included in the job offer? What kind of salary, benefits, and perks are you looking for? Need versus want? Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. How do you evaluate a job offer? How do you determine if it’s equitable and in line with what you bring to the table?
2. What kind of information should be included in a job offer?
3. What questions are useful for gaining a complete understanding of the compensation structure, including factors like opportunities for professional development and growth?
4. In addition to salary, what factors are often negotiable?
5. What is the first step in accepting a job offer?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Locate 1 or 2 job postings for a job role/position of interest to you that includes information on salary and benefits. Research the company to learn more about the benefits, perks for employees, company culture, etc.

1. What questions remain about the position and expectations for performing this role in the organization?
2. What questions do you have about the compensation structure, including opportunities for growth?

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. Reflecting upon the job posting information you’ve gathered, how does this line up with your skills, interests, and needs?
2. What questions do you have about the compensation structure, including opportunities for growth?
3. What are some suggestions for becoming a more assertive negotiator?
4. Can we role-play asking for a higher salary or additional benefits?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Write a thank you email letter to your mentor that details your thoughts on the following:

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. Strategies or tactics you feel competent to use in order to self-advocate and negotiate in the hiring process.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. Types of Compensation Plans and How to Evaluate Them https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/compensation-type
2. Salary Negotiation Scripts for Any Job https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/salary-negotiation-scripts-for-any-job/
3. Pushing for Equal Pay: Everything You Need to Know https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/pushing-for-equal-pay-everything-you-need-to-know/
4. How to Negotiate Your Salary https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/guide/how-to-negotiate-your-salary/
5. Money Under 30 Best Salary Information Websites
6. https://www.moneyunder30.com/best-salary-information-websites
7. Glassdoor Salary Calculator https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/know-your-worth.htm
8. Salary Expert https://www.salaryexpert.com/
9. Gitlab Compensation Calculator https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/total-rewards/compensation/compensation-calculator/

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. Read Quicksprout’s suggestions on “How to Connect with Mentors to Build Your Personal Brand” https://www.quicksprout.com/connect-with-mentors/
2. Take stock and create a list of your personal strengths and weaknesses. Consider seeking out the perspective of friends, family, and peers. The following questions can guide this process:
   1. In which areas of work do you excel?
   2. What motivates you?
   3. What characteristics have others complimented you on?
   4. Which projects or roles have others sought out your help on?
   5. Which projects or roles do you consistently seek out the help of others?
   6. Which roles or projects seem to drain your energy?
   7. Which roles or projects are energizing to you?
   8. What are you known for?
    
3. Take stock of your current social media presence.
   1. What does a Google search of your name reveal about you to others?
   2. What social media channels are you using? Who are your audiences? What type of story/ies do you tell about you? What personal qualities and skills do you emphasize?
    
4. Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What do you want to gain or accomplish out of this mentoring engagement?
2. What is it that you love the most about your personal life or career?
3. What is it that fundamentally drives you in your career or personal endeavors?
4. What talents do you have that you are most grateful for? How have they helped you get where you are today?
5. How have other professionals inspired you throughout your life? In what ways have they provided you with existential guidance and a mental framework to develop your best self?
6. What purpose do you most wish to fulfill in your career or personal life?
7. How do you tell your story and showcase your unique value to others?
8. Suggestions on next steps for developing a personal brand.

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Develop a Brand Strategy Create a strategy for building your brand by capitalizing on social connections and social media.

1. Conduct research on your desired industry/field. How is the industry evolving? Who are the leaders and innovators? What does it take to get into the profession from where you are today? What are the skills and qualities of a strong candidate in your desired profession?
2. Define your value and identify areas for self-improvement. Revisit and assess your list of strengths and weaknesses and evaluate these in relation to the industry/field. How do they match up? What skills and qualities make you distinct? What areas for improvement or gaining knowledge and skills in order to advance?
3. Identify connections and networks you want to target. Who do you want to reach and connect with your personal brand? Are there connections you want to cultivate or networks you want to join?
4. Identify steps to aligning your personal brand on social media. Revisit and evaluate your social media presence in light of your new knowledge and understanding. What steps will you take to better craft and showcase your personal brand?

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. In addition to reflecting who you are today, your personal brand is a roadmap of where you want to go. Where do you want to be in 5 years and what do you want to be known for?
2. How did you break into the industry?
3. How do you see the industry evolving?
4. How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends?
5. How has your personal brand evolved to reflect your growth and/or changes in the industry?
6. Suggestions on crafting a personal brand statement that reflects your professional life and includes a roadmap for the future.

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

HCreate a Video of Your Elevator Pitch! An elevator pitch is a 30- to 60-second story about who you are. Having an elevator pitch prepared makes it easy to succinctly describe what you do and where you’re going (or would like to go) in your career. Keep your elevator pitch brief by focusing on a few key points you want to emphasize. This could include that you’re looking for a new position, have strengths in a particular niche, or recently increased the value of your current department or company. The first step is to prepare your pitch. For this project, follow the recommendations by Forbes and Indeed advice for creating an effective pitch. ​Once you've prepared and polished your pitch, video record your pitch and share it with your mentor. Tips for recording your elevator pitch:

1. The most common advice for preparing a pitch is to practice. A pitch should sound natural – not as if it were being recited from memory or read from a script. With enough practice the pitcher should have the confidence to make that happen.
2. This article by Wistia offers great advice and do-it-yourself tips for presenting yourself as a professional on camera.
3. Make sure your video is accessible to your intended audience/mentor!

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. View the competencies that are essential for workplace success in your industry using Career One Stop Competency Models https://www.careeronestop.org/CompetencyModel/competency-models/pyramid-home.aspx and reseaching your industry on O*Net https://www.onetonline.org/
2. Check out the resources on personal branding available SUNY Potsdam Career Center https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/resources
3. Get advice from Quick Sprout: How to Connect with Mentors to Build Your Personal Brand https://www.quicksprout.com/connect-with-mentors/
4. 10 LinkedIn Tips for Students and New Grads https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-tips-students-new-grads-linkedin-omar-garriott/
5. How Do I Create a Good LinkedIn Profile? https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/112133/how-do-i-create-a-good-linkedin-profile-?lang=en%20%20%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

There are many communication skills that can help you to advance your professional and personal goals. Prior to meeting with your mentor:

1. Read the article by Indeed on 4 Different Ways to Communicate in the Workplace then take an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Reflect upon the following for each of the 4 dimensions discussed in the article (verbal, non-verbal, visual, written) :
   1. What are your top interpersonal skills?
   2. What could you be doing better?
    

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. How have your interpersonal skills factored into your success? Can you think of a time or situation where your skills set you apart or allowed you to advance academically or professionally?
2. Are there particular resources, tools, or role models that you have used to guide your communication practices and helped you to develop your own communication style?
3. What’s one of the most challenging conversations you remember having?
4. What have you learned about being an effective communicator in a team or organization?
5. Focusing on one of the 4 ways of communication (verbal, non-verbal, visual, written), what do you consider as the top 5 Do’s and Don’ts?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. Complete the short communication skills self-assessment in Part 1 of the Boosting Your Professional Communication Skills Worksheet.
   1. What are your top interpersonal skills?
   2. What could you be doing better?
   3. Retain a copy of the skills assessment for your records.
    
2. Write (and upload) a professional-quality email/letter to your mentor in which you communicate the following (at minimum):
   1. Your top interpersonal skills;
   2. What you could be doing better;
   3. What skills you would like to focus on at your next meeting;
   4. Your appreciation for your mentor’s support.
    

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can the mentor offer on your communication skills? What do they observe as your areas of strength? Areas to target for improvement?
2. What strengths are you wanting to build upon? What challenges are you wanting to overcome?
3. Where do you think you can make the most progress?
4. What suggestions do you have for asking for feedback from peers and supervisors? How do you integrate feedback into your work performance?
5. How do you assess the development of these skills over time to ensure efforts to improve are working?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Revisit the Boosting Your Professional Communication Skills Worksheet and draft a plan for improving one communication skill (Part 2). In a debrief format, upload a thank you letter/email highlighting key take-aways from your mentoring experience and three action steps you are planning to take to enhance your professional communication skills over the next year. Explain how these steps will contribute to your professional development. Be sure to include a copy of the action plan from your Boosting Your Professional Communication Skills Worksheet!

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. College Info Geek: The Beginner’s Guide to Professional Communication https://collegeinfogeek.com/professional-communication-guide/
2. Indeed How to Write a Professional Email https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-a-professional-email?from=careeradvice-US
3. MasterClass Experts offer their advice on How To Improve Your Interpersonal Communication Skills https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-improve-your-interpersonal-communication-skills#6-elements-of-interpersonal-communication
4. Harvard Business Review offers resources and guidance for Business Communication https://hbr.org/topic/business-communication and Business Writing https://hbr.org/topic/business-writing?ab=articlepage-topic ; if you are unable to access full text articles online, check your college library online databases or talk with a librarian.

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Reflect upon and jot down your responses to the following questions:

1. What situations in your academic and professional life do/will involve public speaking?
2. Reflect upon your last few experiences with public speaking. What skills were involved? What went well? What could you improve upon?
3. What public speaking role are you currently preparing for, and how are you preparing for this role?
4. What skills or techniques would you like to work on with your mentor?

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. In what ways is public speaking a skill you use in your academic/professional career?
2. What do you think are keys to connecting with your audience?
3. Who are your favorite speakers to watch/listen to, and why? Are there any highly visible speakers that you follow or have inspired or influenced your own speaking style?
4. How did you develop your verbal and non-verbal skills for speaking in front of groups?
5. What public speaking role are you currently preparing for, and what suggestions do you have for?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. Share the draft presentation, speech, outline, or other content you plan to use for your upcoming public speaking role with your mentor.
2. In a separate document, provide your mentor more information about the upcoming role by answering the following questions:
   1. What is your speaking role? For instance, are you delivering a presentation (solo or as a group), delivering a speech, participating in a public discussion or debate?
   2. What is the context of the speaking role? Is this in-person or virtual? Who is the audience?
   3. What is your objective? For instance, is there a specific call to action, or point of view you want others to consider?
   4. Practice delivering the presentation/speech/etc. What areas do you feel confident in? What areas would you like guidance from your mentor?
    

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. Can you practice the delivery with your mentor as the audience?
   1. What strengths did you demonstrate in your content and delivery? What worked?
   2. How could you improve upon the next iteration?
    
2. Have you ever had a public speaking engagement that didn’t go as well as you hoped? How did you handle it?
3. What practices can you recommend for dealing with nervousness when speaking to groups?
4. What strategies do you use to continue honing your skills? Are there any courses, workshops, role models, or other resources that are/have been helpful?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Write a thank you email letter to your mentor that details your thoughts on the following:

1. What you value/appreciate about and learned from the mentoring experience.
2. Your next steps for preparing for the upcoming speaking role.
3. Two strategies you plan to adopt to continue developing your public speaking skills.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. Toastmaster Public Speaking Tips https://www.toastmasters.org/Resources/Public-Speaking-Tips
2. Portent 3 Surprising Ways to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills https://www.portent.com/blog/marketing-strategy/3-surprising-ways-to-instantly-improve-your-public-speaking-skills.htm
3. Top Resume What is Your Body Language Saying About You https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/what-is-your-body-language-saying-about-you-during-an-interview
4. Indeed Thank you Letter to Mentor https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/thank-you-letter-to-mentor

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What are the goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement?
2. Where did you grow up? Have you done any traveling? If so, where?
3. What hobbies, sports, and other interests do you have or want to pursue? For instance, do you consider yourself a “foodie”? Do you engage in winter sports?
4. Other than your career goals, what other goals do you have, and how might these inform your decision on where to relocate? For instance, are you interested in learning a new language and experiencing other cultures?
5. Do you have particular medical or other personal needs that influence your choice of residence?
6. Are there geographic areas where jobs of interest to you are expected to grow?
7. Where are you applying for jobs? What types of jobs? What types of companies? What’s motivating you to apply for these opportunities?
8. What are the pros and cons of relocating?
9. Where do you want to be in 5-years time?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Submit a brief including: (1) links to three job listings located in a place you are considering working. (2) Research 2 restaurants that look interesting near those places of work. (3) What’s the cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in that area? What about other aspects of “cost of living” like food, mass transit, fuel, and other utilities? What type of public transportation is available? What else can you learn about the organization and health of the community? What do people do for fun? Does that appeal to you, why or why not?

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What did you learn about your places of interest?
2. Do your learnings get you more excited or less excited about relocating?
3. Do you have any social and family support in the area you wish to relocate?
4. What factors are you including in your decision making? Where does pay, lifestyle, connections, work culture, and other factors play in your decision?
5. Suggestions on next steps when considering relocation.

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

In a debrief email format, upload a thank you note highlighting your ranked order of places where you’d want to relocate. Explain why and showcase your new found understanding of that location and why you feel the place would be a good fit for you.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

Job Search:

1. Access resources for SUNY Potsdam students at the Career Services office​ https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services
2. Do research on job postings through professional associations related to your field https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-professional-associations.aspx
3. Make connections (requires an account) and browse/search postings Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/
4. See LinkedIn’s tips for making job searching more productive https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-find-the-best-jobs-for-you
5. Visit state (e.g. New York State https://www.cs.ny.gov/) and Federal https://www.usajobs.gov/government employment websites

 

Research on locations:

1. US Census Bureau, Housing Topics https://www.census.gov/topics/housing/guidance/topics.html
2. City-Data.com provides detailed, informative profiles for every city in the United States that includes data on a range of topics from crime and schools to weather patterns and entertainment. https://www.city-data.com/
3. Highspeedinternet.com is an easy to use, interactive tool for finding the location that is right for you. You choose the qualities that matter to you across a spectrum of options — political leanings, crime rates, walkability, affordability, religious affiliations, weather and more — and it shows you a list of cities that suit them. https://www.highspeedinternet.com/best-cities-to-live-work-remotely
4. Google Maps is the Swiss Army knife of mapping applications. Learn what Google Maps can do for you in your research on places to relocate. https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/google-maps-tips-tricks
5. MyMove.com offers tips and resources for finding a home for rent https://www.mymove.com/buying-selling/guides/best-home-rental-sites/
6. Consider searching for websites that provide information on locations where you can explore and grow your interests! For example:
   1. Looking for trails and parks to explore? Check out AllTrails.com! https://www.alltrails.com/?referrer=trailscom
   2. Interested in feeding your inner foodie? Find the top cities for foodies in US News & World Report Best Foodie Cities in the US! https://travel.usnews.com/rankings/best-foodie-destinations-in-the-usa/

 

1. Indeed’s advice for writing a Thank you Letter to Mentor https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/thank-you-letter-to-mentor

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

1. Upload your current resume
2. Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement.

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What are the goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement?
2. How has your resume changed over the past 2 weeks, 2 months, and 2 years?
3. What is your favorite thing to talk about when someone reviews your resume?
4. Do you think your personality is shown via your resume?
5. Do you think you have enough diverse work experience showcased?
6. How is leadership exhibited on your resume?
7. What types of measurable results do you showcase on your resume?
8. On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident are you with your resume?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Upload revised version of the resume based on discussion. Consider Indeed's advice for documenting your employment history and listing your education, continuing education.

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. What (if anything) did you change about your resume? Why did you make this change?
2. What section do you think needs the most work?
3. What professional development opportunities might help you better populate your resume?
4. Is your resume aligned with your LinkedIn profile?
5. How do companies use / review resumes when applying for jobs?
6. Suggestions on best time spent on resume improvements…
7. On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident are you with your resume now?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Upload a final version of your resume.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. ​Download/Copy this Personal Data Worksheet to organize your information before integrating it into your resume https://docs.google.com/document/d/150S4A1bKDSOgnM2hXWvgABU9hPhgSRrAY-SRwE3Fv4Y/edit?usp=sharing
2. CareerOneStop Skills Matcher https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Skills/skills-matcher.aspx and
3. CareerOneStop Values Assessment & Matcher https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Assessments/work-values.aspx
4. The National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) offers a quick Career Skills Assessment https://www.ubalt.edu/campus-life/career-center/career-services-online/career-cycle/documents/Careercompetencies.pdf
5. National Association of Colleges & Employers: Are YOU Career Ready from an employer's perspective? Read THIS! https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/are-college-graduates-career-ready/
6. Review Peterson's recommendations for listing awards and accomplishments https://www.petersons.com/blog/career-planning-resume-writing-honors-awards-and-accomplishments/
7. Search Indeed's Library of Resumes and Cover Letters https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters
8. Get expert advice and excellent resources for writing effective resumes and cover letters at CareerOneStop https://www.careeronestop.org/JobSearch/Resumes/cover-letters.aspx

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Visualize your dream job: What would be the perfect role for you? Imagine you are in that role. It’s 3 pm on a Thursday. What are you doing? Why would you like it so much? Take stock of your assets:

1. basic career assets, such as jobs you've held and courses you've taken, computer or technical skills you’ve developed, and relevant service, hobbies, awards, etc.
2. unique-to-you assets, like your strongest skills and values, accomplishments, and special knowledge you’ve gained through your life experience.

  Identify 1-2 goals you aim to accomplish through this mentoring engagement. Jot down your notes from these thought exercises.

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What are your goals for the job search?
2. How did you find your current or most recent position? How did it align with your interests, skills, and abilities?
3. What advice can you offer on finding jobs in the local community or industry?
4. A major part of the job search is defining what you are looking for. What are your goals for the job search? What would be a good fit?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

1. Browse O*Net Career Clusters https://www.onetonline.org/find/career
   1. What keywords, job or career titles, or roles are useful for describing the type of work roles or career you are looking for?
   2. What type of position best aligns with your interests and assets?
    
2. Keep in mind it’s okay to apply for a job even if you don’t meet all the requirements. Consider opportunities for growth! Suggested reading: Forbes Should You Apply For a Job If You Don’t Meet All the Requirements? https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2016/03/31/should-you-apply-to-that-job-if-you-dont-meet-all-the-requirements/?sh=7b6ae9d318c2
3. Locate 2-3 job postings that align with your interests and assets.

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. How did you go about searching for these positions?
2. How do your skills and abilities match up with the careers or job roles of interest to you?
3. What are some suggestions for keeping track of job applications?
4. How can the job search process help to refine your assets (social media profiles, portfolio, resume, cover letter)?
5. What are your suggestions for next steps in the job search process?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Develop a Job Search Action Plan to share with your mentor. Make a weekly or daily schedule of job search activities that involve exploring career options, searching for positions, and networking to support your job search. This plan will help you keep on track during your search. Suggestion: use an online schedule maker to organize your plan.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

1. Forbes Should You Apply For a Job If You Don’t Meet All the Requirements? https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2016/03/31/should-you-apply-to-that-job-if-you-dont-meet-all-the-requirements/?sh=7b6ae9d318c2
2. Jobvite 2021 Recruiter Nation Report (PDF) https://www.jobvite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Jobvite-RecruiterNation-Report-WEB-2.pdf
3. Do research on job postings through professional associations related to your field
4. Browse and search postings on Indeed and see their tips for making job searching more productive
5. Browse O*Net Career Clusters https://www.onetonline.org/find/career
6. Indeed 13 Steps to Finding a New Job https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-find-a-new-job
7. Indeed offers advice for using job search tools at https://blog.linkedin.com/2019/february/discover-quick-helpful-insights-on-your-job-search Check out the resources available SUNY Potsdam Career Center https://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/career-services/resources

 

 

Pre-Meeting Assignment

Browse industry-related sources (publications, associations/organizations, companies, blogs, etc.) for coverage on the impact of COVID-19. What themes emerge from this informal review? What challenges, issues, problems are workplaces and workers grappling with as the result of the pandemic and associated forces? How are companies and people adapting to and changing their environment? How has the pandemic created opportunity for change and growth? What are some examples of this? What 1-2 goals do you have for this mentor engagement?

 

Meeting One - Conversation Starters

1. What do you see as the top concerns or issues facing your industry as the result of the pandemic and related forces? How have priorities shifted?
2. How has the pandemic changed the way your organization operates? How have policies and expectations evolved to enable the organization to respond, recover, and thrive?
3. What new skills, technologies and tools have you learned to use as the result of COVID-19 and our adaptations to it? What challenges have you had to overcome adapting to these demands?
4. What are thought and industry leaders saying about strategies for moving forward?

 

Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Learn about mind-mapping as a technique for organizing what you are learning about the way work/workplaces have changed as a result of the pandemic. Use your creative and analytical skills to begin diagramming key concepts and relationships for understanding. Suggestion: Lucidchart offers a selection of free templates for creating mind maps that are downloadable.

 

Meeting Two - Conversation Starters

1. In what ways do you see the workplace and your work differently than before the pandemic?
2. What are some key ways your work life has changed as the result of shifting norms?
3. Have your own priorities shifted through the course of the pandemic, and if so, how?
4. What is your experience working from home/outside the organization? What strategies do you use to stay connected to your colleagues?
5. What mindsets and skills do you think are helpful in navigating the post-COVID work environment? Are there certain leadership mindsets and skills you see as essential given the changes we are seeing?
6. In what ways has creativity and agility helped you develop positive solutions for you or your organization as you navigate from the traditional workplace to the new (and evolving) “normal”?

 

Final Deliverable (Due at least 48-hours before next meeting):

Showcase what you have learned by adding levels, relationships, and details to your mind-map! Once finalized, save and upload in a sharable format to get feedback from your mentor.

 

Meeting Three - Conversation Starters

1. What feedback can you the Mentor offer on the Final Deliverable?
2. What questions do you the Mentee have for the Mentor?
3. What are the next steps in continuing to develop the knowledge, skills, strategies, etc. you’ve been working on?

 

Helpful Resources

Mind-mapping and additional graphic design tools (free options):

1. MindMapping: What is a Mind Map? https://www.mindmapping.com/mind-map
2. Forbes Changes to Expect in the Post-COVID Workplace https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashiraprossack1/2021/04/12/4-changes-to-expect-in-the-post-covid-workplace/?sh=240220015542
3. Fortune 500 Executives Tell Us What Their Post-COVID Workplaces Will Look Like https://www.greatplacetowork.com/resources/blog/new-survey-fortune-500-ceos-reveal-what-the-future-office-will-look-like-post-covid
4. ESRI The Post-COVID Office Takes Shape https://www.esri.com/about/newsroom/publications/wherenext/office-planning-during-and-after-covid/
5. McKinsey & Company The Future of Work After COVID-19 https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/the-future-of-work-after-covid-19