THE FIRST CONVERSATION: TIPS!

On this page you are provided with practical guidelines which you can use to get to know your mentees. Please bear
in mind, these are suggestions. You dont have to do things in a particular order or follow a particular script.

Principles of Good Mentoring

The principles of good mentoring are easy:

Communicate with your mentees regularly.

Establish how you will keep in touch: phone, email, face-time, Skype, SMS etc.
Be available and approachable.
Let your mentee know when you will be available and how.
Discuss the boundaries of the mentee/mentor relationship.

The First Conversation

1. Introduce yourself

Tell your mentees about yourself, what you are studying, how you have progressed to your current point, and why you
enjoy your course or study (This could be turned into an ice-breaker). As a mentor we hope you will share your
experiences and knowledge about transitioning into the Faculty of Health Sciences community.

2. Talk about the Belong@FHS mentoring program

Explain why you as mentors are all here, and why mentees and mentors are together. Explain the schedule for
st
Belong@FHS (i.e., mainly 1 semester). Explain the structure of the program, how your meetings and those formally
scheduled will work.

3. Explain the boundaries of the mentoring role

Talk about what you can help with, what you cant help with. For example, you can direct your mentees to help,
provide information about workshops and resources (e.g. online information, relevant staff members). Explain that you
cant provide academic help, proof read assignments or act as a counsellor. Mentoring might be considered an
informal but professional, collegial relationship.

4. Swap contact details that you and they are comfortable with; establish how often you with be in contact, as well as
when, where, and with who else.

Discuss and agree how you would like to keep in contact (e.g., email, phone, text, social media, meets on campus
etc). As it is a professional but collegial relationship, you will want to consider what methods of contact are most
appropriate. During your first conversation, note the next time for meeting. [Cumberland mentors you have a schedule
built in for you].

5. Share information with your mentees

Keep in touch. When something comes in your email inbox, or when you come across something that you think your
mentees might be interested in, forward it to them. For example, information workshops/lectures, extra-curricular
opportunities, FHS social events etc.

Need Help?

Mentors are supported by the Cumberland & Camperdown super-mentors and Belong@FHS Mentoring Committee. If
you have any questions about the Belong@FHS Honours program, please send them to belong.fhs@sydney.edu.au.