Mentor Project Parameters

Christian Missions

Mentor Project

This project is designed for you to choose someone who is active in service to others and spend time observing, interviewing, and assisting them as much as possible.  The minimum time requirement for this project is 2 hours with your mentor.

1. Choose someone to be your mentor for this project.  This person can work in a service related profession such as a pastor, social worker, public health worker, community organizer, ect.  This person can also be a volunteer to perform service related activities such as working at a homeless shelter, assisting in a local church ministry, performing medical work or dental work on a volunteer basis, etc.  The key component is that this person is intentionally helping others and sees her profession or volunteer work as a clear calling to help others. If you have questions on your selection, please ask me for help.
2. Request permission from your mentor to do the project with them.  Be sure they understand that you need to spend at least 2 hours with them and that the time will include interview, observation, and assistance where possible.
3. Once you have permission, set up a schedule in advance so that you and your mentor have your times in your calendars.  Be prepared for possible changes if things come up, therefore, plan to get your time in earlier rather than later in the quarter!
4. As you interview, shape your questions according to your interests, but you should include at least the following questions:  How did you become interested in and started in the service you perform? What inspires you in your work? What are the major challenges in your work? What advice do you have for me as I approach service related activities or professions?
5. As you observe, look for how your mentor does their work, how he relates to the people he serves and the people he works with, how he meets particular challenges.
6. As you assist your mentor, don’t wait to be asked to do something, take initiative and either do it, if it is simple, or ask if you can do and how to do it best.  Always check in with your mentor after assisting her to receive feedback. If there is an opportunity to learn a specific skill and take some responsibility, try to work that into your experience.  If you encounter anything that makes you uncomfortable, talk to your mentor immediately. If something is uncomfortable with your mentor, talk to me immediately.
7. Submit a three page report on your project.  Include information from the interview, conversations, observations, and work you do.  
8. The project is due on Tuesday, May 22, and I would like each person to give a brief oral report on their experience.  2-3 minutes.