LESSONS FOR MENTEESMike Ryan @ryaninteractive

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fire02.jpg

MOTIVATIONAL

MY MENTORS Christina Tsai, Chauncey Wilson & Will Schroeder

KNOWLEDGEA mentor can guide and help you focus your UX experience.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Museum_of_Lincolnshire_Life,_Lincoln,_England_-_DSCF1724.JPG

1. Why should you get a mentor?

EMPLOYMENTA mentor can help you land your dream job.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:McDonald%27s_BigMac_ja-2.jpg

1. Why should you get a mentor?

GOALSDefine what you are looking for and are willing to commit to.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stunt_Rider,_Devon.jpg

2. What type of mentor and relationship do you want?

QUALIFICATIONSWhat kind of experience do you want your mentor to have?

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toy_Robot,_large.jpg

2. What type of mentor and relationship do you want?

RELATIONSHIPCould be formal or casual. Meetings can be in person or virtual.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cows.jpg

2. What type of mentor and relationship do you want?

LOOK LOCALEasiest place to find and maintain contact is at work.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cubicle_land.jpg

3. Where can you find a mentor?

LOOK EVERYWHEREA broad search can find more specific skills.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acharya_Jungle.jpg

3. Where can you find a mentor?

FORMAL PROGRAMSIxDA, the IA Institute and UK UPA have all had mentoring programs.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mark_Hackel_Suit_and_Tie.JPG

3. Where can you find a mentor?

SPEED MENTORINGTalk to a potential mentor for 2-3 minutes then move on to the next.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2011_Medicen_Business_dating.jpg

3. Where can you find a mentor?

Guide

TERMSFormally or informally you should discuss terms and logistics.

http://iainstitute.org/documents/mentoring/mentoring_agreement.pdf

4. Engaging your mentor

SEEK ANSWERSAsk your mentor all sorts of questions.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Microphone_studio.jpg

4. Engaging your mentor

REACH OUTDon’t expect them to come to you.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rainbow%27s_End,_London_N14_-_geograph.org.uk_-_785970.jpg

4. Engaging your mentor

SPEAK UPDon’t always agree. Keep things interesting.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabine01/717745775

4. Engaging your mentor

OPEN UPDon’t be guarded.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gull_portrait.JPG

4. Engaging your mentor

FEEDBACKCritiques will help you improve.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Angry_tiger.jpg

4. Engaging your mentor

WORK ITYou need to work at the relationship.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gutstug2.jpg

4. Engaging your mentor

GIVE BACKTips & tricks

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JCB_3CX_backhoe_loader,_Florida,_backhoe_trick_4.jpg

5. Give back to your mentor.

GIVE BACK“By teaching we are learning.” - Seneca

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wikipe-tan_in_Santa_Costume.png

6. Give back to the community.

REFERENCES• http://www.fastcompany.com/1814941/mentors-are-useless

?partner=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+fastcompany%2Fheadlines+%28Fast+Company+Headlines%29

• http://uxmag.com/articles/a-case-for-mentorship• http://iainstitute.org/en/members/mentoring/mentoring_w

hat_to_expect.php• http://www.ixda.org/about/participate/request-mentor