Mentoring can happen every day in a variety of settings, but Knox alumni and friends can easily offer to mentor current students or fellow alumni through KNect.
This online community allows alumni to offer career advice, help make connections, and give general life-after-Knox guidance. You can choose how many people you want to mentor as well as the type of mentoring you want to offer. Check out this video tutorial explaining how mentoring works within KNect.
Here are some tips on how to be an effective mentor:
Take some time to think about what you are comfortable talking about and pose open-ended conversation starter questions such as, "What are your long and short-term goals?", "Why did you choose to attend Knox?", and "Why did you choose your major?"
It can be useful for students and/or alumni to hear about your career and life paths. Discuss topics that may include professional advice, financial life skills, or navigating a new city, are some tips for having an effective mentoring conversation with a student or other alumni.
Define the goal(s) (including your own) for the mentoring relationship, and manage expectations by being clear about what you can and cannot help with and how often you will be able to communicate.
Practice active listening and guide the mentee in solving their own problems, instead of offering ready-made solutions.
