The Role of a Mentor

Primary Role of a Mentor

• Establish a positive, personal relationship with a mentee.
  • Establish mutual trust and respect.
  • Maintain regular interaction and consistent support.
  • Have fun and enjoy the experience.
• Help a mentee to develop or begin to develop life skills.
  • Work with your mentee to accomplish specific goals such as improved grades, time management, school attendence, self-esteem, and confidence.
  • Instill the framework for developing broader life-management skills (i.e., decision-making, goal setting, conflict resolution, money management, etc.).
• Assist a mentee in obtaining additional resources.
  • Provide awareness of community, educational, and economic resources available to youth and their families and how to access these resources.
  • Act as a guide, advocate, "coach" and role model.
  • Avoid acting as a professional case manager. View the role of mentor as a friend rather than a counselor.
• Increase the mentee's ability to interact with people from various backgrounds (cultural, racial, socioeconomic, etc.).
  • Respect and explore differences among people from various backgrounds.
  • Introduce the mentee to different environments (i.e., workplace versus school setting). Discus differences in behavior, attitude, and style of dress.
• Keep in mind that each mentor-mentee match is unique and will result in unique experiences.

Source: CARS, June 2001