MENTOR RESOURCES
​Thank you for serving as an Esperanza mentor. Whether you're preparing for your first conversation with your Scholar or checking in throughout the year, this page brings together the resources you'll need.
​BECOMING AN ESPERANZA MENTOR
​​
Your Commitment
Mentors are asked to commit to supporting their Scholar for at least their first academic year, with the opportunity to continue throughout the Scholar's college journey. Most mentor Scholar relationships last between 2 and 4 years.
​
Time Commitment
Most mentors spend approximately 3 to 7 hours each month connecting with and supporting their Scholar.
​
Staying Connected
We encourage mentors to communicate with their Scholar at least once each month by phone, video call, text message, email, or in person when possible.
​​
Orientation and Support
All mentors participate in an orientation before being matched with a Scholar. Throughout the year, Esperanza staff remain available to answer questions, provide guidance, and support both mentors and Scholars as needed.
​
Staying Involved
Mentors are encouraged to participate in Esperanza events throughout the year, including Career Day, the Scholarship Award Ceremony, fundraising events, and community gatherings whenever possible.
​
There are many ways to continue supporting Esperanza's mission beyond mentoring. Mentors can help by becoming a sustaining donor to support scholarships and Scholar programming, sharing Esperanza's mission and opportunities with their personal and professional networks, attending fundraising events, or introducing prospective volunteers, mentors, and supporters to our community. Every contribution helps expand opportunities for current and future Scholars.​​​
​HELPFUL INFORMATION
Mentor Orientation
This deck covers all you need to know
Communications Timeline
Your full guide to creating a converstaion and building rapport via monthly check-in topics and points to hit.
Mentor FAQ
Have a question? Consult our FAQ specifically for Mentors.
​COMMUNICATIONS TIMELINE
September
Getting Ready for College & Goal Setting
-
What classes are you registered for?
-
What are you excited about for college?
-
What makes you nervous?
​​
Extracurricular Activities
-
Are you signed up for anything? What are you hoping to learn?
-
If not, have you considered joining clubs? Will you have the opportunity next semester if you don’t participate now?
October
Advisors
-
Who is your advisor on campus? Have you met with him/her?
-
Set up an appointment to introduce yourself if you haven’t already
November
Midterms - Good Luck!!
-
How did they go?
-
Are you finding studying in college harder than in high school?
December
Finals - Good Luck!!
Internships
-
It seems early, but a lot of people start applying to internships now! Have you thought about what you want to do this summer? Many colleges have a career office or an internship coordinator who can connect you with opportunities!
January
Planning for a Great Semester - Any goals for this semester?
February
Internship Check-In
-
Are you applying? Where? Can Esperanza be helpful?
Relationship with a Professor
-
Do you have a person on campus who you would feel comfortable asking for a letter of recommendation?
-
If not, let’s develop a plan to deepen a relationship.
March
Midterms - Good luck!!
Career Day Prep
-
Is there anything you’re especially hoping to learn at Career Day?
April
Career Day Feedback
-
What did you learn?
Internship Check-In
-
Do you have everything in place for the summer? If so, set some goals
-
If not, what would you like to be doing.
May
Finals - Good Luck!!
June
Summer Internship Check-In
-
How’s the internship going? What are you learning?
-
Do you think your supervisor would write you a letter of recommendation at the end
Mentor-Mentee relationship​
-
Let's chat about how we will continue to communicate now that you've completed your first year!