Protégés

Information for Protégés

The Peer Network will match you with an experienced Tech student who will share their perspective on university life.

Coming to Tech, you are no doubt excited and ready for the challenge, but maybe a little anxious. You are taking the first step to creating your own life. You will need to manage competing demands for your time and determine when, where, and how much to study. You will negotiate living with a roommate, discover what it means to be in a fraternity or sorority, sort out your career plans, and perhaps find a job on campus. This is a lot to figure out and your mentor can help.

If you choose to participate you will meet regularly with your mentor, participate in events and activities where you will meet other students, get the inside scoop on your major and discover the ways you learn best.

The Mentoring Relationship

On the list below, you will find ideas and reminders from the National Mentoring Partnership (http://www.mentoring.org) on how YOU can help make your mentoring relationship successful.

Attitude

	Be willing and eager to talk; be willing and eager to listen.
	Be honest.
	Psyche yourself "up" for the discussion. When you practice acting enthusiastic and positive, you actually begin to feel good.
	Look at your mentor when speaking to him or her.

Behavior

	Take a pen and paper with you in case you want to jot something down.
	Don’t forget about your mentor. If you must miss a meeting with your mentor, contact them in advance to reschedule. If you forget a meeting, make sure to call or email them.
	Remember to thank your mentor for their time and attention.

Conversation

	Don't be too nervous about pauses in the conversation. They are natural. It is okay to say, "May I have a moment to think about that?"
	Avoid one-word answers. Try to hold up your end of the conversation.

Questions? Contact us at peernetwork@mtu.edu.