MENTOR PREPARATION GUIDELINES

A mentor should be someone who knows the subject of your project and will take a sincere interest in guiding you to successful completion of the project phase of your Senior Project. 

What does the mentor do?

• Provides expertise relating to your chosen project.
  
• Gives suggestions and advice.
  
• Supports your project efforts.
  
• Provides comments about the work on your project.
  
• Evaluates your performance during the mentoring phas

Before you choose a mentor:

• Clearly define your project.
  
• Be specific about what you need from your mentor (prepare a written list), including time commitments (number of hours).  Confirm that your mentor will be available to meet with you during non-school hours.
  
• Be able to show how the benefits of this mentor/mentee relationship are useful to your mentor.
  

How do you choose a mentor?
Your mentor will be someone from the community who will assist you with the completion of your project.  Your mentor should be someone you seek out because of his or her expertise in the field of study in which your project lies.  A mentor is someone who can give you advice, answer specific questions, and verify the hours you commit to working on your project; however your mentor does NOT have to be present whenever you work on your project.  Think of him/her as a reference, a troubleshooter, a guide.  Make sure you pick someone dependable whom you can count on when you need help. When you finish your project, your mentor will cosign the Project Evaluation Form and verify the hours in your project log as well.  

• Think about and make a list of possible experts that have useful knowledge to assist you with the project phase of your Senior Project.
  
• Talk to parents, friends and/or teachers about possibilities.
  
• Make phone calls, use social media and/or write letters to possible mentors.  (Be persistent!)
  
• Look for someone who has the expertise and is interested in mentoring you through to the completion of your “project.”
  

Once you have a mentor—what should happen next?

• Meet with your mentor.
  
• Decide how you and your mentor will accomplish the meetings-record these meeting dates on a calendar
  
• Begin documenting your time spent with your mentor AFTER every visit in your log or journals. 
  
• After your project is done, don't forget to thank your mentor and invite them to come to your senior portfolio presentation.