Mentorship Meetings
Mentorship Meetings
Conversation Starters
Building a strong mentorship relationship starts with meaningful conversations. Use these questions during your first meetings to get to know your mentor, explore your career path and gain valuable insights.
Student Life
- How did you balance schoolwork and personal life during your time at UCLA?
- What strategies helped you manage stress or stay motivated as a student?
- Were there any campus resources or organizations you found particularly helpful?
- How did your graduate experience differ from your undergraduate years?
About Your Mentor
- What led you to choose your current career path?
- What was your own career journey like after graduation?
- What do you enjoy most about your work?
- What challenges have you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?
- Are there any experiences from your time at UCLA that shaped your professional life?
About Their Job
- Can you describe a typical day or week in your role?
- What skills or qualities are most important for success in your job?
- What kinds of projects or responsibilities do you handle regularly?
- How do you stay current with developments in your field?
- What is the company or organization culture like?
About Their Career Field
- What trends or changes are shaping your industry right now?
- What advice would you give to someone entering this field?
- Are there professional associations or networks you recommend joining?
- How competitive is the job market in your field?
- What alternative career paths are related to this industry?
About Your Career Planning
- Based on what you know about me, what skills or experiences should I focus on developing?
- What internships, projects or volunteer opportunities would you recommend?
- How can I effectively build my professional network?
- What steps would you suggest I take to prepare for my job search?
- How do you recommend setting short- and long-term career goals?
Personal and Professional Growth
- How do you maintain work-life balance?
- What habits or routines have helped you grow professionally?
- How do you approach ongoing learning and skill development?
- Can you recommend any books, podcasts or resources for professional growth?
- How do you handle setbacks or failures in your career?
Activities for Future Meetings
As your mentorship relationship develops, engaging in meaningful activities together can deepen your connection and support your growth. Below are some ideas organized by values, interests, academics and professional goals to help guide your future meetings.
Values
- Shadow your alumni mentor for a few hours or a day to see their work in action.
- Visit their workplace to get a firsthand look at the professional environment.
- Discuss diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives relevant to your career field and how you can contribute.
- Explore how your personal values align with your mentor’s and your chosen profession.
- Complete and compare results from a values or personality assessment (e.g., VIA Character Strengths, Myers-Briggs or DISC) to understand your working styles and communication preferences.
Interests
- Share and discuss your hobbies or passions outside of academics and work.
- Explore opportunities to join professional or community groups related to your interests.
- Attend a career-related event, lecture or workshop together.
- Collaborate on a small project or volunteer activity that connects your shared interests.
Academics
- Review and discuss your class schedule and course selections to align with career goals.
- Explore research opportunities, internships or study abroad programs that can enhance your experience.
- Seek advice on graduate school applications, thesis topics or academic challenges.
- Ask your mentor to review your academic or project work and provide feedback.
Professional Goals
- Set short- and long-term career goals and create a plan to achieve them.
- Practice networking skills or conduct mock interviews with your mentor.
- Discuss resume and LinkedIn profile reviews and improvements.
- Explore job shadowing or internship opportunities your mentor can connect you with.
- Develop a plan for professional development, including certifications, courses or conferences.
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