Welcome to ANS Mentor Match!
ANS is committed to the professional development of our members. ANS Mentor Match is a unique online networking and career development tool to help you find, connect, and share experiences with other ANS members. Geography is no longer a restriction to mentoring—your Mentor or Mentee can be in the same city or on the other side of the world.
Additionally, there is no cost to you. ANS Mentor Match is a free benefit of ANS membership!
Participating in ANS Mentor Match is easy. Just follow these simple steps:
Step 1 - Start
Review your Member Profile here, on Collaborate. Some information is pre-populated from your membership record. Importing other information from LinkedIn is voluntary, but a complete and accurate profile will help secure successful selection and matching. When your Member Profile is complete, move on to Step 2.
Step 2 - Sign Up
You may sign up to be a Mentor, a Mentee, or both!
Make your selections for each demographic including: Mentoring Communication Preferences, Focus/Topics, etc. Not all fields are required for enrollment, but the more information you provide, the better chance of making the best match.
Step 3 - Search
Use the Mentor Match Search to input your search criteria. Then select “Find Contacts.”
From the generated list, choose a mentor/mentee you would like to know more about. Click on their name to view their profile page. If you determint the member may not be a good match for you, select the back button to return to your search results and try again. You may search for mentors/mentees once or multiple times.
When you find a potential match you would like to pursue, move on to Step 4.
Step 4 - Request a Connection
Click on the blue Mentor or Mentee badge under the member’s profile image to request a connection. An e-mail will be sent to the member alerting them that they have been requested to be a Mentor or Mentee. The member will be able to accept or decline the request.
While there is no limit to the number of mentoring relationships you can establish, we recommend that Mentors be judicious in selecting only Mentees who are most suited to learn from the Mentor’s expertise and experience. Mentors can limit the number of Mentee requests on the Mentor Enrollment page.
Step 5 - Visit the Mentoring Discussion Group
Signing up as a Mentor or Mentee grants you access to the Mentoring Discussion Group. Read the topic threads, post questions, or share your insights with all Mentoring participants!
MENTOR MATCH FAQ
Is it okay to reject a request?
Yes, but there should be a good reason to do so. We encourage you to at least have an initial conversation to explore whether the relationship would be mutually fulfilling. To decline a request, go to your Profile and view the My Mentoring Relationships page. Check the “decline” button next to the specific request.
As a Mentor, what if I will be vacationing or otherwise unavailable for a period of time?
Indicate that you are temporarily not accepting new Mentee requests on the Mentor Enrollment page. Click the “Mentor Status” link then click on the check-box next to “Temporarily Not Participating.” Doing this will removes your mentor profile from the search. However, it is your responsibility to communicate your availability to your existing Mentees.
How do I end a mentoring relationship?
If the mentoring relationship is complete, go to your profile and view the My Mentoring Relationships page. Mark the relationship as “completed.” If the mentoring relationship isn't working out, please discuss your decision to end the relationship with your Mentee. Go to the My Mentoring Relationship page on your profile and mark the relationship as “completed.”
What are the expectations for participating Mentors?
We expect that you will fulfill your commitment to develop at least one mentoring relationship. We expect you to respond to initial requests from Mentees in a timely manner, and that you communicate with your Mentees as agreed upon by both you and your Mentees.
How much time will I need to invest?
We recommend that Mentors and Mentees agree on a schedule that works best for both parties. Discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication at the start of the relationship. Keep in mind that mentoring doesn’t necessarily require large amounts of time. Brief phone calls or e-mail exchanges may sometimes be sufficient. ANS meetings are convenient venues for getting together with your Mentees over coffee or lunch.