Program Overview
What is Mentor Match?
Mentor Match is an online tool, including a searchable database, which facilitates the establishment of mentoring relationships. It is user-driven, allowing registered mentees to search among registered mentors using specified criteria to find individuals whose experience and expertise match areas in which they wish to be mentored. Likewise, registered mentors can search for and identify potential mentees.
Is there a fee associated with using Mentor Match?
No. Mentor Match is a benefit of NSPRA membership and is available exclusively to association members. There is no extra charge to use this resource.
How are mentors and mentees matched?
Members must first enroll as a mentor, mentee or both. During the enrollment process, members will select topics of interest, indicate years of school PR experience and more.
Once enrolled, registered mentees visit the Mentor Directory to select their search criteria and filter results for potential mentors. Mentees can click the names of potential mentors to view their profiles. Once a mentee has identified a potential mentor, the mentee can click on the mentor badge (displayed below a mentor's profile picture) to request that person as a mentor. An e-mail alert about the request will be sent to the identified mentor. The mentor will then be able to accept or decline the request.
Registered mentors either can wait to receive a mentee match request or search the Mentee Directory to proactively identify a potential mentee based on selected search criteria. A mentor can request a mentee by clicking the mentee badge (displayed below a mentee's profile picture) to request that person as a mentee. An e-mail alert about the request will be sent to the identified mentee. The mentee will then be able to accept or decline the request.
Mentor Role
How do I become a mentor?
If you are a NSPRA member, click here to enroll as a mentor. You will be instructed to choose your preferences for various topics of interest and more as well as to complete your NSPRA Connect Community Profile.
Who are the mentees?
Mentees are other association members who are seeking your help to support their professional development.
Can mentors have more than one mentee?
Yes, but NSPRA recommends that you be judicious in selecting no more than three mentees and only those who are most suited to learn from your expertise and experience. You can limit the number of mentee requests you are willing to accept on the Mentor Enrollment page.
How will I know if a mentee has selected me as a mentor?
You will receive an e-mail from any mentees requesting you to be their mentor. You will be prompted to accept or decline the request.
Once a match is made, mentees are responsible for:
- Reaching out to their mentor to schedule an initial planning meeting/call.
- Identifying at least three learning goals to work toward as part of the mentoring relationship to discuss during the initial planning meeting/call.
How do I find mentees?
Registered mentors either can wait to receive a mentee match request or search the Mentee Directory to proactively identify a potential mentee based on selected search criteria. Click on the mentees' names to view their profiles. Once you have identified a potential match, click on the mentee badge (below the mentee's profile image) to send the mentee a match request.
Is it okay to decline a request?
Yes, but there should be a good reason to do so. You are encouraged to at least have an initial conversation to explore whether the relationship would be mutually fulfilling. If a potential mentee has misinterpreted information in your profile, you may find the person to be an inappropriate match. If you want to decline a request, go to the My Mentoring Relationships page and check the “decline” button next to the specific request.
What if I’m going to be on vacation or unavailable for a period of time?
Go to the Mentor Enrollment page and click the “mentor Status” link. Then, click on the check box next to “Temporarily Not Participating.” Doing this will indicate that you are not accepting any mentee requests at the moment, and your Mentor Profile will not be included in a mentee’s search for a mentor. It is your responsibility to communicate your availability to your existing mentees.
What are the expectations for participating mentors?
NSPRA expects that mentors will:
- Develop at least one mentoring relationship.
- Respond to initial requests from mentees for a match in a timely manner.
Once a match is made, a mentor must:
- Participate in an initial planning meeting/call with the mentee (mentees are responsible for identifying learning goals and initiating the planning for this initial meeting/call with mentors).
- Review the mentee's identified learning goals during the initial meeting/call.
- Make a six-month commitment to the mentoring relationship, which includes meeting virtually or in person with the mentee at least once a month for one hour (approximate total time commitment = six hours over six months).
- Follow mentor best practices for a successful mentoring relationship.
How much time will I need to invest as a mentor?
Mentors and mentees are asked to meet virtually or in person at least once a month for six months, which is a total time commitment of approximately six hours. Discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication at the start of your relationship. After six months, you may mutually agree to continue an informal mentoring relationship.
Keep in mind that mentoring doesn’t necessarily require large amounts of time. Even brief phone calls or e-mail exchanges with you can make a big difference to your mentee. The NSPRA National Seminar also offers a convenient venue for getting together with your mentee in person over coffee or lunch.
What benefits do I receive from NSPRA if I participate as a mentor in the program?
All mentors serve in the capacity as volunteers. As an active program participant, you will receive a digital ribbon in NSPRA Connect identifying you as a mentor.
What are the best practices for a mentor to have a successful mentoring relationship?
While NSPRA will provide a variety of resources and suggestions to help facilitate the mentoring relationship, each match will determine the goals, parameters and progression of the relationship individually.
As a mentor, follow these best practices to establish a successful mentoring relationship:
- After accepting the role of mentor, familiarize yourself with the mentee's profile. You might request a brief bio or resume/CV before your first meeting. Think of a few questions you might ask about the mentee's professional journey so far (e.g., How did you end up in your current job? What do you like most about it? How do you hope to grow your role in the organization? What are your career goals? What has been your greatest professional success/challenge so far?).
- During your initial meeting, mutually agree on expectations for future meetings and communications. Consider in what manner and how often you will meet. Schedule your future meetings if possible. Start and end your first session on time to establish a healthy boundary with your mentee.
- For future meetings, encourage the mentee to set the agenda for each meeting in advance. If the mentee emails you an agenda ahead of time, you can come prepared with resources or guidance best suited to the discussion topics. Prioritize these meetings and avoid cancelling if at all possible.
- Provide support, encouragement, advice and a listening ear. If you agree during a meeting to provide additional information or resources, follow up on those commitments in a timely manner.
How do I end a mentoring relationship?
If the mentoring relationship is complete, go to the My Mentoring Relationships page and mark the relationship as “completed.”
If the mentoring relationship isn't working out before the end of your six-month commitment, please kindly discuss your decision to end the relationship with your mentee. Go to the My Mentoring Relationships page and mark the relationship as “completed.”
Mentee Role
How do I become a mentee?
If you are a NSPRA member, click here to enroll as a mentee. You will be instructed to choose your preferences for various topics of interest and more as well as to complete your NSPRA Connect Community Profile.
Who are the mentors?
Mentors are other association members who are volunteering their time to support your professional development.
Can I have more than one mentor?
No, not at one time. While there is no limit to the number of mentoring relationships you can establish, NSPRA recommends that you have only one mentoring relationship at a time and that you select a mentor who is most suited to your mentoring needs. Please keep in mind that mentors have limited time to offer and may have other mentoring relationships.
How do I find a mentor?
After you have enrolled as a mentee, visit the Mentor Directory page to select your search criteria and filter results for registered mentors. Once you've identified a potential mentor, click on the mentor badge (displayed below a mentor's profile picture) to request that person as a mentor. An e-mail alert about the request will be sent to the identified mentor.
Once a match is made, mentees are responsible for:
- Reaching out to their mentor to schedule an initial planning meeting/call
- Identifying at least three learning goals to work toward as part of the mentoring relationship to discuss during the initial planning meeting/call
What should I do if I don’t hear from the mentor I requested?
If you don’t hear from the mentor within two weeks, feel free to contact the mentor directly using the contact information found on the mentor's profile page.
What if the mentor isn’t the right “fit” for my needs?
Sometimes, regardless of the information provided, mentors and mentees don’t always "fit." If this happens, discuss your decision honestly and kindly with your mentor. Thank the mentor for the time already volunteered and then begin a new mentor search.
How, where and when can I meet with my mentor?
It is up to you and your mentor to decide how, when and where you want to pursue your mentoring relationship. It is likely that most of your communication will occur virtually, by phone or via email. The NSPRA National Seminar also offers a great opportunity to meet in person.
How long does the mentoring relationship last?
Mentees and mentors are asked to meet virtually or in person at least once a month for six months, which is a total time commitment of approximately six hours. Discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication at the start of your relationship. After six months, you may mutually agree to continue an informal mentoring relationship.
What are the best practices for a mentee to have a successful mentoring relationship?
While NSPRA will provide a variety of resources and suggestions to help facilitate the mentoring relationship, each match will determine the goals, parameters and progression of the relationship individually.
As a mentee, follow these best practices to establish a successful mentoring relationship:
- Before your initial meeting, provide your mentor with a brief bio/resume/CV that explains your professional journey so far. Review your mentor's profile, check out the website for where your mentor works and consider Googling to learn more about your mentor. Follow your mentor on social media if applicable.
- Be prepared to share your expectations for the mentoring relationship. What would you like to get out of the relationship? What would be most helpful to you? In what manner and how often do you want to communicate with your mentor?
- During your initial meeting, mutually agree on expectations for future meetings and communications. Consider in what manner and how often you will meet. Schedule your future meetings if possible. Plan to provide the mentor with an agenda prior to each meeting so they can prepare for any planned discussion items.
- Prioritize these meetings and avoid cancelling if at all possible.
- Show appreciation to your mentor by being mindful of meeting start and end times, by sending notes of thanks and by completing any agreed-upon tasks.