A NEW DESIGN FOR VIRTUAL GROUP MENTORING
Anatomy of a Virtual Group Mentoring Program.
We settled on the following design: four one-hour to 75 minutes sessions (or “workshops”), organized around a sequence of topics, starting with an introduction to Carol Dweck’s concepts of “growth and fixed mindsets,” moving to case studies in the workplace and how a mentor can be of assistance in difficult situations and ending with a session on career exploration. We also settled on the structure that would be consistent through all the sessions: an “opening community circle,” which would bring all participants together around a major theme; “breakout groups” of 3-5 students and mentors; and our “closing community circle,” when we would share what was brought up in the breakout groups and preview the next session. We would use Zoom technology to deliver all aspects of the program.
The timeline:
The Design of Each Session:
The Development of Topics:
The Mentor:
Time Commitment for Mentors: 10-16 Hours:
Expected Benefits for Youth:
Expected Benefits for Mentors:
We settled on the following design: four one-hour to 75 minutes sessions (or “workshops”), organized around a sequence of topics, starting with an introduction to Carol Dweck’s concepts of “growth and fixed mindsets,” moving to case studies in the workplace and how a mentor can be of assistance in difficult situations and ending with a session on career exploration. We also settled on the structure that would be consistent through all the sessions: an “opening community circle,” which would bring all participants together around a major theme; “breakout groups” of 3-5 students and mentors; and our “closing community circle,” when we would share what was brought up in the breakout groups and preview the next session. We would use Zoom technology to deliver all aspects of the program.
The timeline:
- three to four mentor onboarding and orientation sessions;
- four weekly group mentoring sessions with 8-12 students;
- two follow up sessions for formal assessment and planning next steps.
The Design of Each Session:
- Part One is a “community meeting” for all the participants. A topic is introduced and the group checks;
- Part Two consists of breakout groups of 3-4 students, where the topic is explored in greater depth, led by “breakout mentors”;
- Part Three is another “community meeting,” where the breakout groups check in and the topic for the next session presented.
The Development of Topics:
- Session One: Introducing the power of a “growth mindset.”
- Session Two: Understanding one’s own growth mindset in the context of case studies.
- Session Three: How a mentor can assist in a difficult situation.
- Sessions Four: Drawing conclusions and career exploration.
The Mentor:
- Works in tandem with a contact person at the host organization.
- Manages the “breakout" small group discussions in each of the four sessions
- Serves as a one-on-one advisor as needed
Time Commitment for Mentors: 10-16 Hours:
- Orientation Sessions: 3 hours
- Group Mentoring Sessions: 4 - 8 hours (including rehearsal and prep time)
- Assessment and Planning Sessions: 2 hour
- “Office Hours” for Work with Individual Students: 2 hours
Expected Benefits for Youth:
- Increased life skills and self-confidence
- Expanded circle of influence
- New opportunities to participate in a supportive community of peers
Expected Benefits for Mentors:
- Increased interpersonal and group skills needed to become more powerful role models
- Expanded ways to represent their organization's brand
- New opportunities to become mentors to others within their organization