These themes and topics are just guidelines. You should collaborate with each other to tailor the goals of your mentoring sessions based on the skills and needs of the mentee.

The topics for each month are linked to the monthly speaker events at Google. If a topic is not relevant to the mentee, feel free to discuss an alternative topic. It might also be helpful to identify a small project the mentee can work.

Month One - May

Getting to Know Each Other

During the first month, focus on getting to know each other and identify areas of focus:

  • Introduce yourselves - where you come from, what you studied, your job now.

  • What is the Mentees experience so far? (working? studying? started their own business?)

  • What would they like to learn more about in the coming weeks?

  • Brainstorm ideas on a small project you could work on together

  • Set some goals to achieve by the end of your 6 months.

Exchange details and agree appropriate communication for your regular meetings (i.e., face-to-face, Google Hangout, telephone call).

Month Two - June

Maximizing Strengths and Developing Areas for Improvement

  • Which aspects of their current role do they enjoy most?

  • What do they find challenging?

  • Tips on communicating confidently about what you are good at

  • How to improve in areas where you could do better

  • Are there any concrete actions that can be taken to develop their skills? (discuss learning options, courses, networking etc)

  • How much of their current role plays to their strengths?

Month Three - July

Finding the Right Resources

  • Where do they currently find what they need?

  • Where else could they go for helpful information?

  • Share your favourite sites, publications etc for industry insight

  • Discuss how to make the most of networking opportunities

{extra!} Coding Practice

  • If you and your mentee are interested in a technical career, share tips on how to gain coding experience and do a pair programming exercise.

Month Four - August

Career Direction

Mid-point Evaluation

  • Is this mentoring relationship useful so far?

  • What would make it even better?

Career Direction

  • Do they know what they want to do?

  • Do they know what will help them get there?

Month Five - September

Interview and Pitching Skills

  • Tips on communication skills and abilities

  • Discuss interview/pitch experiences (as appropriate)

  • Do a mock interview / pitch for practice!