What is mentoring?

Mentoring is a voluntary agreement between two people, where the Mentor helps the Mentee develop their skills and professional goals through a series of conversations and other learning activities. Typically, mentors are experienced, and mentees in the early stages of their career. Mentoring relationships should be based on trust, mutual respect, and sharing knowledge and experiences.

Mentors can support mentees in shaping their goals and how to achieve them. Mentors can also provide motivation, share personal experiences and knowledge, and help resolve specific issues. Crucially, mentors can offer an alternative point of view and give constructive feedback to their mentee. Equally, mentors can learn from their mentees, whilst also developing leadership and communication skills.

Mentoring is not a way to gain job opportunities, nor will the mentor do the work for the mentee. It is up to the mentee to apply the advice given by their mentor. The mentoring relationship should be driven by the mentee by initiating contact, establishing specific goals, and guiding discussion topics.

Examples of support from a Mentor can include:

• Finding solutions to challenges
• Developing skills
• Industry knowledge
• Sharing insights and personal experiences
• Sharing resources for further development
• Networking
• And more

Benefits for mentees

• Access to advice and sector knowledge from an experienced professional
• Discovering strengths and weaknesses
• Developing new skills e.g. communication and leadership skills
• Shaping personal and professional goals, and ways to achieve them
• Building professional networks
• Gaining confidence

Benefits for mentors

• Gain a new perspective and ideas from a recent IDS graduate or student
• Rewarding experience of helping an IDS alum or student in their professional development, shaping the future leaders of global development
• An opportunity to build your leadership, communication, and mentoring skills

What is Mentoring: Role of mentor and mentee

What is Mentoring: Guiding Principles for the IDS Alumni Network Mentoring & Advice Programme

What is Mentoring: The IDS Alumni Network Mentoring & Advice Programme