Mentor Match Overview & Guidelines

This page is meant to be used as a guide. You don’t have to follow it exactly, but we suggest that utilizing some sort of guideline can help with maintaining a productive mentoring relationship.

Mentor Match is an online directory on SIR Connect facilitating a match between two SIR members, a Mentor and a Mentee, who will follow a six-month commitment, working together to help mentees set and meet their goals. Please note that Mentor Match is an online tool designed to facilitate the establishment of mentoring relationships with SIR members who are passionate about Interventional Radiology. 

The system runs on a continuous basis, meaning new Mentors and Mentees may enroll at any time. Matching does not happen automatically – mentees should find and request a Mentor through the platform. The six-month commitment begins at the time that a Mentor and Mentee are matched.

Minimum Recommendations:

  • Once matched, Mentees should complete a goal-setting worksheet.
  • Mentors and Mentees should review this page in its entirety. 
  • Schedule an introductory meeting with your mentoring partner during Month 1.
  • Communicate at least monthly during Months 2-5.
  • Schedule a wrap-up meeting during Month 6.
  • Complete the evaluation survey and submit to SIR.
  • Expect to spend approximately 10 hours over the course of the opportunity - communicating and carrying out action plans.

Note: Doing more than the minimum is certainly encouraged! You and your mentoring partner may decide to meet more often than monthly, or to get together in person (if possible) in addition to communicating virtually, connecting via social media, etc.

Month 1: Get to Know Each Other

Build your relationship and garner trust by sharing some personal information. Topics may include:

  • Your background and how it has shaped you
  • Your career overview or your experience in school
  • Your strengths and shortcomings
  • What you enjoy doing, both professionally and in your free time
  • Your challenges, or what you worry about most
  • Your hopes for the future
  • What is most important to you in your life and career

Also, decide how you will communicate and how frequently you will be in touch with each other during the course of your mentoring relationship. 

Month 2: Discuss and Set Goals and Metrics for Your Mentoring Relationship

Mentees should create a goal-setting worksheet to share with their Mentors. Use this as a starting point to discuss what you intend to work on during the six months.

  • Prioritize the areas of improvement you want to work on together
  • List your specific concerns in those areas
  • Translate those concerns into goals
  • Assign a deadline for each goal
  • Decide how you will know whether you have succeeded in reaching your goal(s)

Month 3: Develop an Action Plan

Now that you know what you and your mentoring partner are conjointly working toward, develop a plan to take action toward those goals.

  • List the tasks you will need to complete to reach your goal
  • Decide who will do each task
  • Assign a deadline for each task
  • As you go, check to make sure that your tasks truly align with your goals

Months 4, 5, and 6: Take Action

Now that you know what you want to do, and how you’re going to do it, it’s time to put your plans into action.

  • Complete the tasks you have identified
  • Ask questions
  • Ask for feedback
  • If something isn’t working, adjust your plan
  • Schedule a wrap-up meeting with your mentoring partner

Conclusion

Review what you have worked on together during your mentorship period.

Ask Yourself:

  • Did I reach my goal?
  • Did I enjoy and learn something from the experience?
  • Did I change direction as a result of the experience? Did it help me make a tough decision, or feel more confident in my plans?
  • Did I acknowledge and celebrate progress?

Finally, whether you are a mentor or a mentee, complete your evaluation survey. This will help us to improve Mentor Match in the future.

Final Thoughts

Thank your mentor or mentee for their time. Consider maintaining your active status in the Mentor Match system, so that you can be matched again.

 If you and your mentor/mentee mutually would like to continue working together beyond the six months, you may certainly do so. You may also want to continue your relationship on an informal basis, outside of Mentor Match.