NoLimits Telementoring

Initiating and Maintaining the Relationship

• After the match is created, it works well to introduce yourself by giving the mentee some information about you personally (family, hobbies, travels, pets, etc…) in addition to the professional aspects of your life.
• If it works for both of you, set goals and clarify expectations for the year. This should be done after trust and confidentiality is established. It is important to set goals that are:
  • Conceivable -- You must be able to conceptualize the goal so that it is understandable and then be able to identify what the first step or two would be.
  • Believable -- You must believe that you can reach the goal.
  • Achievable -- The goals set must be accomplishable with you and your mentee's given strengths, abilities, and circumstances. If the goal is too difficult given the limited resources that come with a relationship over the internet, it will lead to frustration and defeat.
  • Challenging -- If the goal is too easy, there is little incentive to achieve it and little reward in getting there.
  • Measurable -- Your goal must be stated so that it is measurable in time and quantity. This way, you and your mentee can gauge your progress over time.
  • Desirable -- Your goal should be something you and especially your mentee really want to do, rather than something you feel you should do.
• A successful telementoring relationship depends on the student and the mentor feeling comfortable with each other -- take time to get to know your student;
• Build trust -- Reassure the student that your conversations are confidential. Provide a safe place for discussion.
• Follow through on commitments.
• Ask open-ended questions to avoid the "yes" and "no" answers.
• Keep the communication informal -- A little fun mixed in with learning goes a long way!
• How much the two of you correspond will depend on both of you but we think it's important to maintain regular contact with your student at least every other week -- if not more.
• It is important that you respond as quickly as possible when you receive mail from your student, if only to let him/her know that you will get back to them when you have more time.
• Be consistent with your communication even if your student is not.