WHY I LAWYER
THE WASHINGTON LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (WLI)
Class of 2019
Mentorship
What IS a Mentor?
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A mentor is a trustworthy adult or older student who is available to answer your questions and guide you. He or she might also act as a role model to you and give you support to help you reach your full potential. Some schools and organizations have mentoring programs that connect you to adults or peers, but you can also find a mentor on your own by talking to a teacher, an employer or an older student whom you look up to.
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How do you ask someone to mentor you?
Part 1
(some helpful tips from Yale)
https://your.yale.edu/work-yale/learn-and-grow/career-development/mentoring/how-ask-someone-mentor-you
Once you’ve thought through your choice, you’re ready to ask someone to mentor you. Here’s how to do it:
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For someone you know
In your email:
Schedule an initial conversation. Ask your potential mentor if he or she can make time for an hour meeting with you. You don’t want to be rushed, and you want plenty of time for the other person to ask you questions about your goals, etc.
Clearly describe the guidance you’re seeking (The Ask). This is where that preliminary brainstorming on your part will help you articulate just what you have in mind. Describe what advice or guidance you are seeking and for what purpose. Is it to help you navigate your current department politics or are you seeking to apply to a different position? Are you thinking about going back to school and are not sure what area of study to focus on? Think about this and articulate up front what you are seeking.
Confirm your willingness to do the necessary work and follow-through. There’s nothing more frustrating than mentoring someone who doesn’t do the work necessary to take advantage of advice, so you want to make it clear to your potential mentor that you’re ready to commit the time, energy and effort to make the most of their counsel (and time).
Acknowledge and respect the individual’s time. Most people who are asked to become mentors are highly successful in their careers, which means they’re also very busy and much in demand. So it’s important for you to acknowledge that reality, and make it clear how much you appreciate their considering your request. This is also the way to provide a graceful “out,” letting the other person cite an overbooked schedule for declining your request.
How do you ask someone to mentor you?
Part2
(some helpful tips from Yale)
https://your.yale.edu/work-yale/learn-and-grow/career-development/mentoring/how-ask-someone-mentor-you
For someone you don't know
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If you’re reaching out to someone with whom you have no connection, go for an introduction along with any commonalities, specific interests or discussion points. Try to make a quick connection to hopefully pique his or her curiosity and spark interest in meeting with you. We advise you to ask to meet them for coffee or a brief meeting in their office first so you can both get to know each other. Aim for 30 minutes for your initial meeting.
Do not ask someone to be your mentor in your introductory email or in your first meeting. Like all relationships, building trust and rapport takes time. You may need to meet a few times and get to know them, learn about their current career and goals before asking them to be your mentor.
Note: If you don’t hear from them, follow-up, but don’t hound him or her. Check in two to three weeks after your initial contact, but after that, you need to assume he or she doesn’t have the time to meet you right now. It is time to focus on the other two or more on your list of potential mentors. Try to maintain a relationship (even if it’s one way) by sending notes or articles that may interest him or her once every six months just to check-in.
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Washington State Bar Association (WSBA)
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Mentorship Curriculum
The WSBA mentorship curriculum guide and worksheets through the button (link) below offer best practices, coaching tips, and training to support and strengthen your mentoring relationship. Once you have found your mentor or mentee, follow these four steps to structure and plan your mentorship relationship.