Mentee Guidelines & Expectations

• Must be a student at or above 200-level speed or a new reporter within the first year of reporting.
  
• Respond to mentor as soon as possible after initial contact.
  
• If you do not receive contact from your mentor within 10 days of being notified of the match, contact the Mentor Program Coordinator.
  
• Prior to your first meeting with your mentor, prepare a list of things that you would like to achieve through your mentoring relationship and share these goals with your mentor.
  
• Must complete the monthly reports and the program evaluation at the end of the year.
  
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for mentee role and exemplify positive professional ethics and behavior.
  
• Maintain regular contact with your mentor at least once a month. Mentor and mentee should agree upon the frequency of contacts, the duration of these contacts and the parameters of the relationship itself. Meetings may be in person or via other forms of communication, such as telephone or email. Consider establishing a scheduled time for meetings. Acknowledge the end date for the relationship (one year postcommencement).
  
• Attempt to participate in a thoughtful discussion and exchange. Do not be afraid to ask even the most basic or the toughest questions. No question is "dumb."
  
• Be considerate of the mentor's schedule. Respect the mentor's time and answer emails promptly.
  
• Be respectful of the mentor's trust and maintain confidentiality in all matters disclosed by your mentor.
  
• Do not let shyness or uncertainty interfere with getting what you need. Try to establish how you think your mentor can help you, then negotiate this with your mentor from the first meeting on.
  
• Try to be focused about your needs for each meeting. While your mentor has considerable resources to share with you, they also have a tight time schedule.
  
• Be sure to inquire about your mentor's own educational and career choices and life goals.
  
• Listen actively to understand. Talk through the situation. Ask clarifying questions.
  
• Own the responsibility of setting goals. Focus on practical examples of goal achievement. Make sure there are tangible outcomes from the meetings.
  
• The mentoring relationship is not one-sided. Enter the process with thoughts about how you can help your mentor give you the best advice.
  
• Encourage your mentor to be critical. Be receptive to feedback and take it objectively.
  
• The advice given to you by your mentor should be seriously considered, even if your initial reaction is not positive. Show openness to the wisdom of your mentor. The experience and expertise of your mentor should be acknowledged. Let your mentor know how you are applying their advice.
  
• When venting frustration or concern, do not use profanity, make derogatory remarks, or specify names of people or entities in any communications.
  
• When talking with others, make only positive or neutral comments about your mentor.
  
• Be patient and positive in the relationship. Respect the professional boundaries of the relationship.
  
• Recognize that not everything your mentor says will be useable immediately.
  
• Inform other prospective mentees about the DRA Mentor program.
  
• Acknowledge that any views, opinions, guidance, or remarks your mentor may make are personal and may not reflect the views, opinions, guidance, or remarks of the Deposition Reporters Association or any other professional associations.
  

I understand that my assignment as a mentee is voluntary. If I elect to discontinue my participation in the program, I agree to promptly email my mentor of this decision, as well as the mentor program coordinator so that another mentee may be assigned to my mentor. The DRA does not reimburse any expenditure.