How to Reach Out to Potential Mentors and Foster That Relationship

This post was originally written by Catherine Laserna

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Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Mentorship can be one of the most valuable resources during your college years and beyond. A strong mentor-mentee relationship can guide you through academic challenges, career planning, and personal growth. But how do you get started? How do you approach someone who has the expertise you admire and the experience you need? In support of the new diversity directory going out, this article, we will walk through how to reach out to potential mentors and provide tips for fostering a meaningful relationship.

1. Understand What You’re Looking For

Before reaching out to a potential mentor, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what you want from the relationship. Are you looking for career advice, guidance in a specific academic field, or support for personal development? Having a goal will help you identify the right mentor and also allow you to articulate your needs when you make the initial contact.

For example:

• Academic Mentorship: You might seek help with research, learning strategies, or advice on tackling challenging coursework.
• Career Mentorship: Perhaps you want guidance on job searching, internships, building a resume, or navigating a professional industry.
• Personal Development: You may want advice on life balance, managing stress, or leadership development.

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2. Research Potential Mentors

Start by identifying potential mentors who can offer the guidance you need. You can get started on this by visiting the university diversity directory. Mentors can come from many places:

• Professors and Faculty Members: Professors are a great resource for academic mentorship, and many have extensive experience in their fields of expertise. Some may even have industry connections or be open to helping with career navigation.
• Alumni Networks: Your college’s alumni association is a goldmine for finding mentors. Alumni often feel a strong connection to their alma mater and are usually open to supporting current students.
• Professional Organizations: If you’re exploring a specific career path, professional organizations and industry events can connect you with seasoned professionals willing to share their expertise.
• Peers and Senior Students: In some cases, upperclassmen or students involved in student organizations may have valuable insights, particularly for navigating the college experience.

Once you identify someone who seems like a good fit, take the time to learn about their background and expertise. You can often find information about their work online, through their professional website, LinkedIn, or university bio page.

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3. Craft a Thoughtful Initial Message

When you’re ready to reach out, make sure your message is respectful, professional, and specific. Avoid generic or vague emails. A well-crafted message will increase the likelihood of a positive response.

Here are some tips for writing a compelling outreach email:

• Personalize It: Mention something specific about the mentor’s work or background that resonates with you. This shows you’ve done your research and aren’t just sending a mass email.
• Introduce Yourself: Briefly explain who you are—your year in school, major, and any relevant academic or extracurricular activities.
• Be Specific About What You’re Seeking: Clearly state why you’re reaching out. Whether it’s advice on career development, research guidance, or other forms of mentorship, being specific helps the potential mentor understand how they can assist you.
• Respect Their Time: Acknowledge that you understand their time is valuable. Ask if they would be open to a brief meeting or a conversation, either in person or virtually. Offer flexible times to accommodate their schedule.
• Be Polite and Professional: Use polite language and a professional tone, even if the mentor is a professor or someone you admire deeply.

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4. Be Patient and Persistent (But Not Pushy)

After sending your initial message, be patient. It might take some time for a busy professional to respond. If you don’t hear back after a week or two, it’s acceptable to follow up once. However, always keep your follow-up respectful and considerate. If you don’t receive a response after a couple of attempts, it’s best to move on and seek other potential mentors.

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5. Prepare for the First Meeting

Once a potential mentor agrees to meet, come prepared. Also, try to book an hour! Mentor/mentee pairings should aim to set aside 60 minutes to talk, get to know each other and support each other. This can be done in-person, via video conferencing or on the phone. In most cases, this will be a 1-to-1 pairing, but if it’s a 1-to-2 or 1-to-3 pairing – that is fine too! Whether the meeting is in person, over the phone, or via video chat, take the following steps:

• Prepare Questions: Come with a list of thoughtful questions or topics you want to discuss. Show that you value their time and are eager to learn.
• Be Professional: Dress appropriately, even if the meeting is virtual. Ensure you’re punctual, and if meeting virtually, check your tech beforehand.
• Be Open and Receptive: Mentors will offer advice, but it’s up to you to listen and engage. Be open to constructive feedback and demonstrate that you value their insights.

As someone who’s reached out to mentors in the past, I’ve found that the most important part is coming in with questions and a goal in mind. It can be awkward to schedule a 30 minute meeting only to have nothing to talk about for those thirty minutes. Always come prepared and make the most out of your time as possible.

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6. Nurture the Relationship Over Time

Fostering a mentor-mentee relationship is an ongoing process. Here are a few key ways to maintain and strengthen the relationship:

• Follow Up: After your meetings, send a thank-you note or email expressing your gratitude for their time and insights. This shows that you value the relationship and reinforces a positive connection. If it’s easier, also bring up next available meeting dates during or after the meeting to ensure that you will continue to see each other regularly.
• Be Respectful of Their Time: Understand that your mentor is likely busy. Be mindful of how often you reach out and make sure your requests are thoughtful and well-timed. Schedule meetings in advanced and avoid asking too many one-off questions over email, instead, schedule and save those questions for a later meeting.
• Provide Updates: Share your progress with them, especially if they gave you advice or resources to help you along your path. This keeps the conversation going and shows that you’re acting on their guidance. Mentorship is a two-way street and it shouldn’t just be your mentor talking the whole time. Be sure to share your progress or anything else relevant at the time with your mentor. They should be learning from you as much as you learn from them.
• Offer Something in Return: Reiterating again, mentorship is a two-way street. While you’re gaining valuable insights, think about how you can offer something back—whether it’s sharing your own knowledge, providing assistance on a project, or offering a fresh perspective on an issue.

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