Becoming a mentee

We hope that being a mentee on the ARC programme will be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Below are some FAQs which mentees should read before applying.

Please note, mentors are limited and will be assigned on a first come first served basis.

How does it work?

You will need to complete a brief application form, which will automatically match you with up to 3 possible mentors. You can then read a brief biography of each match and select your preferred option.

This will send a notification to the mentor who will be able to review your reasons for wanting a mentor and once they accept the match you will be connected through the mentoring platform.

There may be occasions where a mentor has to reject a match. This will likely be down to their availability. Please don’t be disheartened. You can simply complete the form again to receive new matches.

In the first meeting it is expected that participants agree their mutual expectations for the relationship, normally participants will meet monthly, and usually we would expect the relationship to come to an end after 6 months.

Where will the meetings take place?

Meetings should take place in a mutually agreeable space. We anticipate that most meetings will take place online via Zoom/Teams etc. However, you may also wish to meet in person if practical.

What type of help can I expect from my mentor?

The role of a mentor can be described as being a ‘critical friend’. By this we mean providing honest and constructive feedback whilst also providing support and encouragement.

A mentor will agree to share with you information about their own career, provide guidance, motivation, emotional support and role modelling. They may help with exploring career opportunities, setting goals, developing contacts and identifying suitable learning resources.

The mentor however is not there to provide you with all the answers. The mentor is there to support and challenge you on your own development journey.

How long will the relationship last?

It is anticipated that each mentor relationship will last for a maximum of 6 months. At the six-month stage it will be useful for both parties to reflect on and review the relationship.

Why can I not find a mentor?

ARC mentors are all volunteers and are in limited supply. If the matching system doesn’t return any results, it is likely because all of our available mentors are already matched with mentees.

We are recruiting new mentors all the time and we will inform members as mentor slots become available.

What should I do if I don’t think my mentor is helping me?

We encourage both the mentor and the mentee to review the value of the relationship at any point. We would expect this review to take the form of a discussion between both parties. We would always expect this to be done with professional courtesy. When it is time to end the connection either party can press the ‘end connection’ button from within the chat window.

Can I also apply to be a mentor?

Yes, you can. You should read the mentor FAQs first, and then email info@arc.ac.uk to request the form to complete.

What support is available?

The AUA team will be able to support you if you have any questions about your mentoring experience. You can reach them via info@arc.ac.uk.

What records are kept?

Our mentoring platform will maintain a confidential record of who has mentored you through your time as an ARC mentee. It will also store records of chat messages between you and your mentor. Through the chat function, you will be able to share documents and other summaries/records of your meetings.

We will provide mentors with two document templates:

– A mentoring agreement template – to be completed following the initial meeting where the objectives for the mentoring relationship are set.

– A meeting summary template – which can be optionally completed following every meeting, summarising what was discussed.

How can I apply?

To apply to become a mentee, please email info@arc.ac.uk.