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Voluntary Mentoring Program Guide

Purpose

The Sanford Mentoring Program provides Master of Public Policy students and Master of International Development fellows with the opportunity to develop a partnership with persons who have graduated from Sanford or with faculty and staff at the school.  Beyond the individual mentor/mentee relationship, The Mentoring Program Team provides participating students with additional professional development opportunities. Students are paired with a mentor they can engage with about their master’s program as well as careers in public policy and international development. The program cohort members meet regularly to discuss professional development topics to supplement the mentoring experience.

No matter how mentoring is defined or delivered, graduate student mentees identify three qualities as essential to a successful relationship with a mentor:

  • open, clear and effective communication
  • honest feedback about their work/performance/skills
  • feeling supported through challenges

Mentoring can be a powerful and rewarding development experience for both mentor and mentee.  As a mentor, you will be able to share your experiences with students as they navigate the path from their master’s programs to careers after Sanford.

Expectations

Mentors are responsible for meeting with their mentee for at minimum three times throughout the program cycle (“Meeting” = emails, phone calls, texts, video chats, or in-person meetings if possible). One meeting is required before January 2024.

The Mentoring Program leadership team provides regular communication, enrichment materials, and, when requested, personal consultation to support and facilitate the mentor/mentee relationships. For questions, please contact sanford-mentoring@duke.edu.