Advice on Mentorship

Supervising a new student employee

• Arrange a welcome orientation and a tour. Introduce your new employee to their new colleagues. Ensure that anything a new employee needs (for example, their computer, phone, tools, workspace, etc.) are set up in advance.
• Tailor your orientation process to the student's level of experience. This could include providing information about workplace behaviour and safety, information about etiquette, and expectations surrounding confidentiality.
• Allow for a learning curve. This may be their first experience in a professional environment.
• Establish check-ins on a regular basis.
• Provide feedback regularly at scheduled review sessions. Be open to adjusting the student's responsibilities as needed.
• Provide the student with relevant materials that will help them in their new role, like information about past projects, examples, and templates.
• Invite students to connect with their colleagues or other professional colleagues that may help them explore their path. Facilitate meetings.
• Invite students to staff social activities.
• Help your employee to learn about the company's culture. Share success stories and stories of challenges that have been overcome.