Mentor & Protégé Guide

Information for alumni mentors and student proteges who are participating in Smeal's Mentoring Program

Welcome

Thank you for participating in the Smeal Mentoring Program! Whether you are an alumni mentor or a student protégé, your involvement is vital to the success of this program. Mentors bring experience, perspective, and guidance, while protégés bring curiosity, energy, and a drive to grow. Together, you create a partnership rooted in learning, support, and shared success.

This guide is designed for both mentors and protégés. It provides resources, tips, and conversation starters to help you build a productive and rewarding relationship. The Smeal Mentoring Committee and the Smeal Alumni Relations Office are here to support you throughout your journey. Remember—mentorship is a two-way street where both sides learn and benefit.

Relationship Management – What to Expect

Mentorship is about building a meaningful, professional, and mutually beneficial relationship.

Mentors:
• Serve as role models by sharing advice, guidance, and professional values.
• Provide constructive feedback and help protégés develop strategies and confidence.

Protégés:
• Take an active role by sharing goals, asking questions, and being open to feedback.
• Approach the relationship with professionalism and curiosity.

Both:
• Communicate expectations early.
• Be flexible and respectful of each other’s time.
• "Strive for 5!": Aim for five touchpoints per semester. 

Relationship Management – Keep the Ball Rolling

Mentors: Check in regularly, provide feedback, and encourage your protégé to reflect on progress. If challenges arise, use the Mentor Assistance Portal.

Protégés: Take initiative by preparing questions, following through on commitments, and updating your mentor on your progress. Don't forget to thank your Mentor for the time they are giving you!

Both: Stay in touch throughout the semester, acknowledge messages promptly, and be respectful of schedule changes. If you are having trouble connecting or hearing back from one another after a few attempts, please reach out to the Smeal Alumni Relations Office. Don't hesitate to let us know you're having trouble connecting!

Conversation Starters 

The following topics include sample questions and prompts designed to help mentors and protégés have meaningful conversations. Protégés can use these to guide their curiosity, while mentors can share personal experiences and advice.

1. Your Backgrounds
• Protégés may ask: Why did you choose Penn State or your major? What experiences shaped your career path?
• Mentors can reflect on: Early lessons learned, career shifts, and personal values that guided decisions.

2. Selecting a Major
• Protégés may ask: What factors should I consider when choosing a major? How did your major impact your career?
• Mentors can reflect on: How your major opened doors (or didn’t) and advice for exploring options.

3. Understanding Career Paths
• Protégés may ask: How much of your career followed a plan vs. unexpected opportunities? What advice do you wish you had in college?
• Mentors can reflect on: Career changes, growth strategies, and skills that transfer across roles.

4. Understanding Industries and Companies
• Protégés may ask: What are the trends or challenges in your industry? How do you assess company culture?
• Mentors can reflect on: Positive and difficult experiences, and lessons learned about industries and employers.

5. Leadership
• Protégés may ask: How can I show leadership without a formal title?
• Mentors can reflect on: Ways you developed leadership skills and advice for building influence early in a career.

6. Extracurricular Involvement
• Protégés may ask: How do I balance extracurriculars with academics? Which activities helped you professionally?
• Mentors can reflect on: Experiences that shaped teamwork, leadership, and career interests.

7. Cover Letter & Resume Review
• Protégés may ask: How do I make my resume stand out? How should I tailor my cover letter?
• Mentors can reflect on: What catches your attention in applications and common mistakes to avoid.

8. Internships & Job Opportunities
• Protégés may ask: When should I start looking for internships? Beyond campus resources, where should I search?
• Mentors can reflect on: Effective search strategies, networking, and opportunities that were most valuable.

9. Building a Personal Network
• Protégés may ask: How did you build your network? What networking practices are most effective?
• Mentors can reflect on: The role of networking in your career and tips for maintaining professional relationships.

10. Researching Companies
• Protégés may ask: How do I research a company before an interview? What matters most to look for?
• Mentors can reflect on: How company research influenced your own job decisions.

11. Interview Preparation
• Protégés may ask: What interview questions should I expect? How do I prepare strong stories for answers?
• Mentors can reflect on: Memorable interview questions you’ve asked or answered, and tips for making a good impression.

12. Accepting & Negotiating Offers
• Protégés may ask: Is it okay to negotiate? How do I decline an offer professionally?
• Mentors can reflect on: Times you negotiated or declined an offer and lessons learned.

13. Transitioning to the Workplace
• Protégés may ask: What makes someone successful early in their career? What challenges did you face in your first job?
• Mentors can reflect on: Adjusting to workplace culture, communication skills, and professionalism.

14. Workplace Experiences
• Protégés may ask: How do you handle workplace challenges or difficult coworkers?
• Mentors can reflect on: Examples of positive and challenging workplace experiences and how you handled them.

15. Other Life Experiences
• Protégés may ask: What life experiences shaped you outside of work?
• Mentors can reflect on: Moving, balancing priorities, or making major personal decisions.

16. Ethics & Social Responsibility (Tarriff Center)
• Protégés may ask: Why does integrity matter in business? How have you handled ethical dilemmas?
• Mentors can reflect on: Values that guide your decision-making and examples of ethical leadership.

Additional Resources

The following resources are available to help both mentors and protégés succeed in the program:

Mentors: Use these resources to guide and support your protégé.
Protégés: Use these resources to explore career paths, gain skills, and expand your network.

Closing Thoughts

Mentorship works best when both mentor and protégé are actively engaged. Be curious, be respectful, and be open to learning from each other. Many mentoring relationships last well beyond the program year—we encourage you to keep the connection alive.

Thank you for being part of the Smeal Mentoring Program. Your commitment strengthens our community and helps shape the next generation of leaders.