Mentor and actor roles
Every mentoring relationship is different, and there is no one correct model for the mentoring process. A mentor can have many roles depending on the actor's objectives and their own experience and competences. The actor always plays the main role in the process.
![Two guys flying a kite on Otaniemi campus](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_6_567w_354h_n/public/2023-06/Aalto_University_Squad_students_May-2023_by_Aleksi_Poutanen_0481.jpg?h=e416fdf8&itok=_s5MarJj)
Mentor´s role
- Supports the student in developing and achieving meaningful goals
- Listens and asks the right questions
- Helps and encourages thinking of different options and trying them in practice
- Guides in building a professional network and suggests new contacts, places and perspectives
- Is genuinely interested in the actor and mentoring
- Guides to seek support from others as needed
- Is neither an all-knowing answer bank nor a solution-oriented coach
- Is open for new perspctives, listen, asks and challenges
![person with a telescope](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/o_567w_ah_n/public/2022-06/mooc_2.1.jpg?itok=-IAdde_e)
Actor´s role
- Thinks carefully about what to expect from the process and where help is needed
- Sets the goals for their own development and for the mentoring process
- Is proactive, chooses discussion topics and prepares for meetings
- Goes over the goals and their possible changes during the process with the mentor
- Is open to new perspectives, asks, listens and also questions
Tips and tools for mentoring
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