SMART Start Mentoring
SMART Start is a program partnership between Business Career Services and the David Eccles Alumni Network. It provides Eccles School students the opportunity to interact with alumni from across various fields of business and aims to provide current students with “flash mentoring” and the opportunity for students and alumni to engage in an organic approach to mentorship and networking.
Flash mentoring is one-time or short-term mentoring, centered around tactical meetings which provide knowledge or skills as participants need them. With this format, mentees can learn from a variety of individuals with expertise in varying areas of business, create high-impact and low-commitment connections, ask industry-specified questions, and get multiple perspectives on a particular topic.
- Support and coaching in deciding upon a career path
- Knowledge and perspective of an organization
- Understanding of how their ambitions fit into education, student life and career choices
- Expanded personal network and networking advice
- Critique of resume, cover letters, LinkedIn, or other professional communication
- Interview preparation and mock interviews
- Understanding of business etiquette, dining etiquette, corporate culture, and professionalism
- Job shadowing
- Focus and direction toward their goals
- Interesting articles or readings
- Class or internship and job experiences and learnings
- Updates on the University’s events and news
- Updates on personal successes following their advice
- Arrive on time for meetings and events
- Exhibit professionalism, including professional language (verbal and written) and professional dress (business casual for mentor meetings and events)
- Send a thank you after each meeting
- For meetings, be prepared with topics you would like to discuss
- Don’t be afraid to initiate contact, and understand that mentors are busy and may not respond immediately
- Work around your mentor’s schedule whenever possible and respect their time
- Respond to emails promptly
- Set communication expectations with your student
- Define each of your roles
- Set goals with the student, whether they be academic, professional, or personal
- Don’t be afraid to critique, and try to keep criticisms constructive and specific
- Praise them for their successes
- Hold individual meetings in a public location where you aren’t alone with just your
mentor/mentee. - If meeting in an office setting, keep the door open or cracked so others can see or hear what’s going on.
- Be careful with touching or physical contact; make sure it can’t be misunderstood.
- Develop strong relationships with your mentor/mentee, but be sure to let them know if they are telling you things that you are uncomfortable with, or vice-versa.
- Keep meetings short and to the point; value and respect your mentor/mentee’s time.