JSC Co-op Program :: Mentoring :: Mentors

:: Main Menu

· Home

· Introduction
· Benefits
· Eligibility
· Duties
· Checklist
· Summary

· Top Five Things
You Should Know

· Mentor Hall of Fame

· Forms

Co-op Assignment Form

Mentors

Checklist

Your relationship with the Co-op will be less stressful if you plan prior to his/her arrival. Following is a checklist to help keep you on track as you prepare for the Co-op's work tour.

It may be helpful to print this list and mark the items as you complete them. Click here for a printer-friendly version.

One to Three Months Prior to Arrival
Two to Four Weeks Prior to Arrival
Day of Co-op's Arrival
During Work Tour
Near the End of the Work Tour

One to Three Months Prior to Arrival

	Plan the Co-op's assignment(s) and complete the Co-op Assignment Form. In some divisions, the supervisor or group lead already has projects in mind for the Co-op. Your job is to make sure that there will be something challenging and meaningful to work on starting the day they arrive. Plan meaningful work for the Co-op. A Co-op is not a "gofer"! When planning, keep in mind how long the Co-op will be working with you. If possible, the Co-op should have a project that he/she can work from beginning to end. Also, "dead time" should be minimal. A bored Co-op probably won't want to be hired into your division! Discuss with the Co-op his/her educational background and ensure that projects are appropriate for his/her level of skill. Ensure that the Co-op is fully aware of what is needed for the project, and be ready to answer questions or send him/her to someone who knows the answer.
	Discuss the co-op's work assignments with others that they'll be working with.
	Plan on-the-job training as appropriate.

Two to Four Weeks Prior to Arrival

	Ensure that the Co-op has an appropriate workstation, including his/her own desk, computer, phone, security access to programs or buildings as deemed necessary, email and network account.
	Announce arrival date of the Co-op to other division personnel.
	Ensure that the Co-op is included on the division's email list-serve.
	Contact the Co-op. This is better when done by telephone, but email may also be used. In your communication, include the following: Introduce yourself. Discuss possible projects that the Co-op will be working on. Confirm the Co-op's arrival date and time.

Day of Co-op's Arrival

	Be available! This means clearing your calendar for at least the first half of the day, and for the whole day if this is the Co-op's first tour. Also, be in a place that won't be difficult for the Co-op to locate.
	Introduce the Co-op to division personnel and explain their roles.
	Give the Co-op a tour of applicable buildings and labs.
	Discuss the goals of the mentoring relationship. You may use the Individual Career Development Plan to keep a record.
	Inform co-op of any extended vacation-time during the work tour. If you are going to be out for more than a week, arrange for the Co-op to have a temporary mentor.

During Work Tour

	Arrange a weekly tag-up with the Co-op. Meetings should occur more frequently in the beginning of the work tour to ensure that the Co-op understands his/her project.
	Arrange a mentor/Co-op/supervisor tag-up after the first two weeks of the co-op's work tour to discuss expectations, progress, and overall satisfaction with the program.

Near the End of the Work Tour

	Review the Co-op's final presentation and/or assist him/her in finalizing it. Every Co-op must make a final presentation of what they did during that work tour. This should be presented to co-workers as well as the division chief and possibily the branch chief. Also, some schools require that the student write a report on his/her experiences.
	If the Co-op has any remaining tours, you may want to help him/her decide what organization and/or division to go to next. After having worked with the Co-op for a semester, you should have some insight into how he/she works and where might be the best place to work.
	Plan a "good-bye" luncheon or gathering with the division for the Co-op's last week.