Information Letter and Process Approval Link for Sector Mentors

Dear Sector Mentor,

First of all, thank you for participating in the BTU Mentorship Program.

Sharing your experience and knowledge with our students and supporting their developmental journey carries great value, both for them and for society.

Within the scope of the BTU Career Model,
you have been matched with a student (mentee) to support their developmental journey by sharing your professional experience and knowledge.

Your Mentee’s Name:________________________
Your Mentee’s Email Address:________________________

As part of the BTU Mentorship Program:

First and second-year students are matched with graduate mentors selected from alumni of their department, while third and fourth-year students are assigned sector mentors from relevant sectors (public, private, academic, etc.).
At the beginning of each fall semester, you are matched with students by your department.
You are expected to conduct at least 4 meetings with your assigned student throughout the fall and spring semesters. However, within the scope of this pilot study, at least 2 meetings are expected during the spring semester.
Meetings can be conducted face-to-face or on an online platform (preferably online).
The content of the meetings is to be determined mutually by the student and the mentor, focusing on topics that support the student's career planning process.
If you would like to be matched with a different student, you may send your request by email to the BUKAGEM Faculty Representative in your department.
After the meetings, you will be asked to provide feedback to the Career Center regarding the process.

BEFORE STARTING YOUR MENTORSHIP MEETINGS, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO READ THE INFORMATION IN THE LINK BELOW AND PROVIDE YOUR APPROVAL.

Approval Link: https://forms.gle/N5M3qmx7jFzXuq846

YOU MAY BEGIN YOUR MENTORSHIP MEETINGS WITHIN 10 DAYS FROM THE DATE THIS EMAIL IS RECEIVED.

Warm regards,
BTU Career Development Application and Research Center (BUKAGEM)

What is Mentorship?

Mentorship is a mutual learning process in which a more experienced individual (mentor) provides knowledge, guidance, and support to someone less experienced (mentee). As a mentor, you can help the student clarify their goals, realize their potential, and progress on their career path.

Key Elements of Effective Mentorship

Build Trust: Create a safe and open communication environment through a sincere and understanding approach.
Value Confidentiality: Maintain the confidentiality of personal information shared by the student.
Be a Good Listener: Actively listen to understand the student’s needs.
Offer Guidance: While sharing your knowledge and experiences, be a guide without being directive in the decision-making process.
Encourage Motivation: Help boost the student’s self-confidence by emphasizing their strengths.
Set Realistic and Achievable Goals: Guide the student while considering their capabilities.

What Should Be Avoided in the Mentorship Process?

Do not be judgmental: Avoid belittling the student’s thoughts or questions.
Do not impose your views: Allow the student to make their own choices.
Do not remain passive: Respond promptly to the student’s needs and stay engaged in the process.
Do not breach confidentiality: Ensure that shared information remains only between you and the mentee.

What Can You Do in the Mentorship Process?

Goal Setting and Planning:

Deep Understanding: Try to understand not only the student’s general goals but also why they are motivated to achieve them, how they define success, and what challenges they may face. Ask open-ended questions (e.g., “How will you feel when you reach this goal?”) to gain deeper insights.
SMART Goals: Help your student define their goals. Break large goals into smaller, manageable steps.
Action Plan: Set concrete tasks and timelines for each step. Schedule regular meetings to track progress.

Guidance and Counseling:

Provide Information and Resources: You can recommend reliable resources (books, online courses, people) on academic success, personal development, internships, and job applications. Share insights about industry trends and developments.
Critical Thinking: Focus not only on transferring knowledge but also on helping the student develop critical thinking skills. Encourage them to consider different perspectives and make independent decisions.
Be a Role Model: Inspire them by talking about your own experiences and how you overcame challenges in your professional life. Focus on lessons learned and skills gained, rather than self-praise.

Overcoming Challenges:

Develop Problem-Solving Skills: Rather than directly offering solutions to the challenges your student faces, help them analyze problems, evaluate different solutions, and identify the most suitable strategy.
Encourage Independence: Give them opportunities to take responsibility and make decisions independently. Be supportive while avoiding excessive interference, allowing them to find their own solutions.

Empowerment and Motivation:

Boost Confidence and Celebrate Achievements: Help your student recognize their talents and strengths, and show that you believe in them. Appreciate all their achievements, big or small, to highlight their importance and increase motivation. For example, say things like: “The effort and creative solution you showed in this project were truly impressive—keep it up!”
Moral Support and Encouragement: Show that you’re there for your student during difficult times and adopt a collaborative approach to solving problems. Help them view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Phrases like “You’re learning a lot from this experience—you’ll be stronger in your next step” can help maintain their morale.

How Can You Address Frequently Asked Questions?

In response to “How should I shape my career?”, help the student discover their areas of interest and talent.
For “What should I do for my first job/internship application?”, support them with résumé preparation and interview tips.
For “How can I build connections in the industry?”, explain the importance and methods of building a professional network.

Why Is Your Contribution Important?

With your experience and knowledge, you can help our students enter professional life more confidently and better prepared.
By sharing your industry connections and expertise, you can contribute to their professional and social skills development.
By supporting the development of young professionals, you add value to society.
You can also broaden your own perspective through the fresh viewpoints of the new generation.

We hope that your mentorship journey will be inspiring for the students and meaningful and fulfilling for you.
Remember, every piece of knowledge and guidance you share is an important step shaping a young person’s future.

Wishing you a successful mentorship experience!

Warm regards,
BTU Career Development Application and Research Center (BUKAGEM)

I have read the information above and I agree and commit to abide by the confidentiality principles and mentor responsibilities during the mentor-mentee meetings.

Approval Link: https://forms.gle/N5M3qmx7jFzXuq846