A mentee is someone who is actively seeking practical guidance for dealing with professional dilemmas and strategies for career advancement. Mentees participating in the ACC Mentoring Program may receive guidance on issues related to career and leadership growth, solutions to career challenges, developing untapped potential, and/or a specific clinical area of interest.

  Mentoring Program FAQs
  Mentoring Program FAQs
  What does the ACC Mentoring Program provide?
  What does the ACC Mentoring Program provide?
Open to all members as a benefit of membership, this program pairs mentors and mentees based on their area of interest or expertise.
  Who can be a mentee?
  Who can be a mentee?
Any current member of the ACC – including FACCs (Early Career Professionals), FITs, CCAs, PICs, etc.
  How does it work?
  How does it work?
Mentees complete a mentee enrollment profile – selecting an area(s) in which they would like to be mentored.
  How long does it take to complete a profile?
  How long does it take to complete a profile?
Approximately 10 minutes. The enrollment process is very simple.
  How many mentors can I have?
  How many mentors can I have?
It is preferred that the mentees have one mentor at a time.
  When is the mentor-mentee relationship established?
  When is the mentor-mentee relationship established?
After completing the enrollment process you will be able to view your top mentor matches and view their profiles. Then you can send a message to the mentor you would like to establish a relationship with. From there, the mentor will be able to view your profile and decide whether to accept your invitation.
  What is my commitment, and what exactly does that entail?
  What is my commitment, and what exactly does that entail?
An initial commitment of one (1) years is requested for a mentor-mentee relationship.
  When does the one-year mentor-mentee relationship begin?
  When does the one-year mentor-mentee relationship begin?
The one-year, mentor-mentee relationship begins once the match is established and confirmed by both parties.
  What happens during the one-year mentor relationship?
  What happens during the one-year mentor relationship?
Mentees are in-touch with their mentors to obtain advice, enhance their skills and intellectual growth in their area of expertise, and discuss their career plans in cardiology.
 
  Responsibilities
  Responsibilities
  1. The Mentoring Program is designed to provide cardiovascular practitioners, researchers and faculty members with a means to form professional relationships to enhance their skillset and promote intellectual growth in clinical or professional interest areas. Mentors are not to be solicited by mentees for employment opportunities.
  2. Mentees agree to maintain at least monthly contact with their mentors. Mentees are responsible for making the initial contact with their mentor and for scheduling all subsequent meetings/ conversations. Both mentor and mentee are responsible for maintaining communication for the duration of the program.
  3. Mentees should be aware that mentors are busy professionals whose time is valuable. When plans must be changed, mentees should give their mentors maximum advance notice. It is essential that mentees discuss scheduling in advance with their mentors in order to establish expectations.
 
  Talking Points
  Talking Points

Once a match has been confirmed, and the information is sent to each participant, the mentee is responsible for contacting his/her mentor as soon as possible. Contact between the participants can be in the form of mailings, phone calls, e-mail, or personal meetings. The initial contact should be an informal one. It should be kept friendly and light-- the goal is to have both parties at ease with each other. At the end of the meeting, arrangements should be made for the second meeting.

Be prepared: research your mentor’s employer and be familiar with your mentor’s current position and any biographic information you can find. Dress in professional attire for the first and all subsequent meetings.

  Questions for the mentor and the mentee to ask of each other
  Questions for the mentor and the mentee to ask of each other
  1. What do you expect from this relationship?
  2. How often would you like to meet?
  3. Where should those meetings take place?
  4. Let's discuss some of any concerns about trying to establish this relationship?
  Mentor’s role in career development
  Mentor’s role in career development
  1. Advising on career options
  2. Discussing particular fields of interest
  3. Sharing experiences of working in a particular field
  4. Guiding and supporting through the process of:
    • Researching and selecting specific employers to work for
    • Developing resumes and cover letters
    • Preparing for interviews
    • Introducing mentee to a variety of information and resources to assist in preparing for specific careers/jobs
  Possible meeting topics
  Possible meeting topics
  1. Discuss the overall goals and expectations of the program:
    • Address specific communication preferences for the mentor and mentee
    • Discuss how to handle changes in plans
    • Mentor describes current job, early/first job(s):
    • What is a day-in-the-life like for your mentor?
    • What does mentor like most about his/her profession?
    • What skills matter most?
    • What does mentor and mentor’s employer look for when hiring a new employee?
    • What skills do mentor/mentor’s employer wish more applicants had?
    • What skills are best learned on the job?
  2. Discuss networking:
    • Discuss your knowledge of effective networking.
    • Discuss the value of networking.
    • Discuss mentor’s approach to networking.
    • Explore mentor’s contact circle by utilizing the mentor spreadsheet.
    • Ask for suggestions regarding networking opportunities.
  3. Curriculum vitae review:
    • Review your current CV.
  4. Discuss your mentor’s interview experiences.
    • Discuss interview strategy.
    • Role-play interviews.
  5. Fields of interest:
    • Discuss your current interests.
    • Be open to expanding your awareness of related fields and areas of employment.
    • Discuss realistic expectations for entry level positions.
  6. Job shadowing or interning (when possible):
    • When given the opportunity to shadow your mentor for a day, come prepared and act professionally.
    • Ask questions in advance.
    • Write thank you notes to all colleagues you meet during your job shadowing experience.

Please note that these are merely suggested guidelines. Be open to innovative, creative and personal ways in which you can maximize your mentoring experience. Also, communicate with fellow mentees - sharing experiences and ideas.