4 Student Guidelines

The key to success for students is to commit time and effort toward developing their future careers by taking full advantage of this unique opportunity. Students should supply their mentor with feedback and be open to receiving advice and coaching from the mentor.

4.1 Protégé Responsibilities/ Expectations

  • Be accountable for introducing yourself to your mentor, initiating future conversations and upholding all commitments
  • Determine your interests, skills and goals and share these with your mentor
  • Attend at least two program-related activities with your mentor each semester (see Chapter 6 for a calendar of events)
  • Ask for help and guidance; seek out the information needed for your career development
  • Maintain communication within the established schedule
  • Communicate any adcademic concerns that you might want assistance working through
  • Accept both praise and constructive criticism
  • Follow through on any referrals/recommendations made by your mentor
  • Take note of the competencies and skills valued for a successful career in I-O

Please allow your Mentor at least 24 hours to respond to emails/texts and requests.

Should a student wish to opt out of the mentor program, please contact the MSU I-O Psychology program coordinator.

4.2 Mentor Responsibilities

Mentors take on many roles. Many students request mentors when they reach plateaus and connecting with someone who has made it through these milestones in the past can be an inspiration. Other students have questions about dealing with test anxiety, study habits, or career choices. Mentors act as resources, coaches, and role models. An effective mentor will:

  1. Work with the protégé in developing an Individual Development Plan (IDP; Chapter 8)
  2. Stay accessible, committed, and engaged during the length of the program
    • Setting and agreeing on frequency of meeting times according to needs/wants/availability
    • In-person meet-ups
    • Over the phone “meet-ups”
    • Be sociable with mentee (although there should be boundaries, your mentee should want to come to you with their problems, whether that be school or other issues)

  3. Addressing boundaries relating to academic support

  4. Encourage mentees to attend developmental events outside the program (for example, SIOP, monthly METROs, career/job fairs, etc.)
    • (if applicable) You should be able to offer resources to them (whether this be fore research or career development purposes) - example: You know of an opening at Pepsico

  5. Attend office hours on scheduled day and times

  6. Let Eagle IO know as soon as possible if you are having a problem connecting with your mentee

  7. If mentor has any questions or concerns that may arise, let Eagle IO know to be able to provide support and guidance

4.3 Eagle IO Responsibilities

Student consultants’ roles include managing the mentorship program. The program timeline can be found here (this needs to be done yet)