Mentoring Guidelines

The mentor is responsible for initially contacting the mentee to find a mutually agreed upon form of communication. In order to maintain social distancing, all meetings are expected be virtual. Please be mindful of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and local requirements.

Mentees and mentors should work together to shape the conversation to your unique needs and interests. Conversation topics may include navigating the industry during this challenging time, portfolios and portfolio reviews, resumes, and how everyone is maintaining routine, wellness, and mental health at this time.

Before you have that first conversation, take some time to think about your goals for this relationship, the time you’d like to devote to it, and what you’d like to learn from a mentor before you have that first conversation.

Some questions you may want to ask your mentee to get started:

• What do you love about your life right now?
• What are your expectations of this relationship/what do you want to get out of this?
• Tell me what your interests are beyond landscape architecture (hobbies, etc.).

Your first meeting should be scheduled as soon as possible and focus on:

• Getting to know each other
• Setting goals
• Set a meeting schedule that works for you both
• Determine your preferred communication method, i.e., phone, Skype, email, etc.

Throughout your mentorship relationship you can discuss a variety of topics that will allow you to share insights, guide the mentee, and expand their knowledge.

• Career exploration
• Resume review
• Interview practice
• Gaining experience
• Networking
• Searching for a job
• Interviewing skills
• Professionalism
• Effective communication
• Professional experiences
• Life experiences
• Leadership development
• Diversity and culture

Mentee Guidelines

• Commit to mutual respect and open and sincere communication. This is a relationship that could become a long-lasting friendship if maintained well. Be open-minded to new ideas and receptive to feedback. Don’t overthink this and be yourself.
• Take some time go get to know each other.
• You are responsible for maintaining the relationship with your mentor. This includes initiating meetings and continued correspondence. Establish a check-in schedule that works for you and your mentor and a preferred means of communication for follow-up questions. Your mentor wants to hear from you about your professional goals and challenges.
• Set clear expectations for each meeting. Establish the goals for yourself and decide upon discussion topics and/or goals for each meeting.
• Discuss your developmental goals and set realistic personal deadlines. Even if you don’t hit your mark, simply having a deadline can help you set a framework for accomplishing larger goals.
• Be on time. If you have to cancel a meeting, please contact your mentor as soon as possible to cancel. You are meeting with a person that already has a busy schedule, yet is making time to give back to the developmental concerns of emerging professionals. Use the mentor’s time and counsel effectively.
• Document your progress on your goals. Keep a written log, file, or journal.

Some questions you may want to ask your mentor:

• Tell me about your practice.
• What is the favorite part?
• What would you tell your younger self if you could go back and start over?
• How has your practice changed under the pandemic?

Mentor Guidelines

• Commit to mutual respect and open and sincere communication. This is a relationship that could become a long-lasting friendship if maintained well. Be open-minded to new ideas and receptive to feedback. Don’t overthink this and be yourself. Ensure confidentiality.
• Take some time go get to know each other. Serve as a teacher, guide, counselor, facilitator and professional colleague. Be available and committed to making a difference.
• Be engaged and actively listen during meetings. Reflect the concerns the mentee is sharing to be clear that you have understood him or her. Provide coaching and real feedback throughout the course of the relationship in areas such as job performance, communication, leadership, work/life balance, professionalism, etc. Know that students are sometimes intimidated by meeting professionals and will see you as an example of others he or she is sure to meet in the future.
• Be a source of information and encouragement. Provide personal and professional guidance. Help develop creative and independent thinking.
• Discuss the benefits you have found in being connected to ASLA and how continued membership has supported your career.
• While the mentee is responsible for initiating ongoing meetings, establish a check-in schedule to follow if they do not initiate contact often just to make sure that they are still interested and encourage them to take advantage of this program.
• Be on time. If you have to cancel a meeting, please contact your mentee as soon as possible to cancel.

Some questions you may want to ask your mentee to get started:

• What do you love about your life right now?
• What are your expectations of this relationship/what do you want to get out of this?
• What are your interests are beyond landscape architecture (hobbies, etc.).

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Mentorship relationships should last at least six months with regular conversation. Some mentorship relationships become a long-lasting friendship – and some do not. Do not hesitate to initiate an end to formal meetings if you think that you’ve exhausted the value of the relationship or if you’d rather maintain a more casual connection.

If you do not feel that the match was right for you or if there is another perspective that is important to you, contact mentorship@asla.org and ASLA can provide a new match for you. Please be specific about what you are looking for.

Questions? Contact mentorship@asla.org with any questions or concerns. We’re here for you!