Mentorship Program Structure - Facebook
Posted: Thu May 14, 2020 3:32 am
I recently participated in Facebook's mentorship program. The project didn't go well, and one of the
main reason was that we didn't follow the program structure properly. But I've found the program
quite educative for me.
I was wondering what if we try to apply that method here. So, I'm sharing the program structure here-
___________________________
Overview
You will be mentoring David for the next 6-8 weeks. You can help David set a goal for this mentorship, and then support him as he works towards that goal. You'll receive program guidance each week, but should feel free to work at your own pace. Participation is voluntary (no money should be exchanged) and please use caution if you decide to communicate outside of Messenger. You can leave the mentorship by going to the Mentorship tab in your group.
Step 1 of 8
Get to Know Each Other
Discuss
You might talk about:
• Why they're interested in mentorship.
• What their current situation is.
• Specific areas where you may be able to help them.
Tips:
• Your goal right now is to get to know each other.
• Saying a bit about yourself and your own journey will help get the conversation going.
Step 2 of 8
Agree on a Goal
Now it's time to dig further into why you're here together. Try to agree on one main goal to aim to reach within the next 6 weeks.
Discuss:
You might talk about:
• What's something they're hoping to improve.
• If the goal they're thinking of is specific, realistic, and something they have control over.
• How they're feeling about the process of setting a goal.
Tips:
• Getting started can be hard. Reassure your partner that you're here to support them.
• Consider sharing an example of something you used to struggle with and how you were able to change that.
Step 3 of 8
Have a Plan
Once you've agreed on a goal, you're ready to come up with a plan to reach it...
Discuss
You might talk about:
• Individual steps they could take to reach their goal.
• Getting additional support from books, online resources, and people they know.
• One concrete action they'll take within the next week to work toward their goal.
Tips:
• It may be helpful to ask your partner to imagine themselves having reached their goal, then work backwards.
• Consider suggesting some next steps, especially if your partner is struggling to come up with ideas.
Step 4 of 8
Check In
Does the plan need an adjustment or two? This is a great time to double-check the approach and make changes if needed.
Discuss
You might talk about:
• If they were able to take a step toward their goal this week and how that felt.
• If there's a specific challenge they'd like to talk through.
• What step they could take within the next week.
Tips:
• It's OK to adjust the goal or the plan if it makes sense.
• Help them come up with a short list of specific actions they can take.
Step 5 of 8
Discuss Progress
Talk about how are things are going so far. Are they moving along? Any unexpected challenges?
Discuss
You might talk about:
• If they were able to take the action they planned to and how that went.
• If there's anything going on for them that they'd like to talk through.
• What action they could take (or finish) within the next week.
Tips:
• If things don't seem off to a great start, it might be a good time for a little pep talk.
• You can reassure them that every small step means progress toward their goal
Step 6 of 8
Keep It Going
You're on your way. Check in on progress (every little bit counts!) and where you might take things from here.
Discuss
You might talk about:
• Anything they're proud of this week.
• Anything that felt easier or harder than expected.
• Anything else they'd like to talk through or that you're observing.
Tips:
• Sometimes it can help to break a problem into smaller pieces.
• If you have a story of your own that relates to what they're going through, consider sharing it.
Step 7 of 8
Celebrate Progress
Take a few moments to recognize how far you've come together. If you're still working together toward a goal, that's something to be proud of.
Discuss
You might talk about:
• Something specific you saw them accomplish.
• How they feel about the progress they made.
• Anything that surprised them along the way.
Tips:
• Congratulate them for the steps they've taken toward their goal.
• Remind them that this is a journey, and if they've made some progress toward their goal, they should feel a sense of accomplishment.
Step 8 of 8
Look Ahead
The structured mentorship program has ended. So where do things go from here?
Discuss
You might talk about:
• The progress they've made.
• Any tips for how to keep making progress.
• Staying in touch.
Tips:
• Encourage your partner to keep working in this area and remind them of resources that are out there to keep supporting them, including the group you're both in.
• If you'd be willing to stay in touch even though the official program has ended, let them know.
___________________
Dear Distorted Designers, what do you think about it?
main reason was that we didn't follow the program structure properly. But I've found the program
quite educative for me.
I was wondering what if we try to apply that method here. So, I'm sharing the program structure here-
___________________________
Overview
You will be mentoring David for the next 6-8 weeks. You can help David set a goal for this mentorship, and then support him as he works towards that goal. You'll receive program guidance each week, but should feel free to work at your own pace. Participation is voluntary (no money should be exchanged) and please use caution if you decide to communicate outside of Messenger. You can leave the mentorship by going to the Mentorship tab in your group.
Step 1 of 8
Get to Know Each Other
Discuss
You might talk about:
• Why they're interested in mentorship.
• What their current situation is.
• Specific areas where you may be able to help them.
Tips:
• Your goal right now is to get to know each other.
• Saying a bit about yourself and your own journey will help get the conversation going.
Step 2 of 8
Agree on a Goal
Now it's time to dig further into why you're here together. Try to agree on one main goal to aim to reach within the next 6 weeks.
Discuss:
You might talk about:
• What's something they're hoping to improve.
• If the goal they're thinking of is specific, realistic, and something they have control over.
• How they're feeling about the process of setting a goal.
Tips:
• Getting started can be hard. Reassure your partner that you're here to support them.
• Consider sharing an example of something you used to struggle with and how you were able to change that.
Step 3 of 8
Have a Plan
Once you've agreed on a goal, you're ready to come up with a plan to reach it...
Discuss
You might talk about:
• Individual steps they could take to reach their goal.
• Getting additional support from books, online resources, and people they know.
• One concrete action they'll take within the next week to work toward their goal.
Tips:
• It may be helpful to ask your partner to imagine themselves having reached their goal, then work backwards.
• Consider suggesting some next steps, especially if your partner is struggling to come up with ideas.
Step 4 of 8
Check In
Does the plan need an adjustment or two? This is a great time to double-check the approach and make changes if needed.
Discuss
You might talk about:
• If they were able to take a step toward their goal this week and how that felt.
• If there's a specific challenge they'd like to talk through.
• What step they could take within the next week.
Tips:
• It's OK to adjust the goal or the plan if it makes sense.
• Help them come up with a short list of specific actions they can take.
Step 5 of 8
Discuss Progress
Talk about how are things are going so far. Are they moving along? Any unexpected challenges?
Discuss
You might talk about:
• If they were able to take the action they planned to and how that went.
• If there's anything going on for them that they'd like to talk through.
• What action they could take (or finish) within the next week.
Tips:
• If things don't seem off to a great start, it might be a good time for a little pep talk.
• You can reassure them that every small step means progress toward their goal
Step 6 of 8
Keep It Going
You're on your way. Check in on progress (every little bit counts!) and where you might take things from here.
Discuss
You might talk about:
• Anything they're proud of this week.
• Anything that felt easier or harder than expected.
• Anything else they'd like to talk through or that you're observing.
Tips:
• Sometimes it can help to break a problem into smaller pieces.
• If you have a story of your own that relates to what they're going through, consider sharing it.
Step 7 of 8
Celebrate Progress
Take a few moments to recognize how far you've come together. If you're still working together toward a goal, that's something to be proud of.
Discuss
You might talk about:
• Something specific you saw them accomplish.
• How they feel about the progress they made.
• Anything that surprised them along the way.
Tips:
• Congratulate them for the steps they've taken toward their goal.
• Remind them that this is a journey, and if they've made some progress toward their goal, they should feel a sense of accomplishment.
Step 8 of 8
Look Ahead
The structured mentorship program has ended. So where do things go from here?
Discuss
You might talk about:
• The progress they've made.
• Any tips for how to keep making progress.
• Staying in touch.
Tips:
• Encourage your partner to keep working in this area and remind them of resources that are out there to keep supporting them, including the group you're both in.
• If you'd be willing to stay in touch even though the official program has ended, let them know.
___________________
Dear Distorted Designers, what do you think about it?
