OBM Connect Best Practice Guide

Roles

Our OBM mentors are experienced professionals based all around the world who have agreed to share their skills, knowledge, and experience. They will act as a guide to offer advice and support. Mentees will benefit from having an experienced person who takes the time to listen and discuss their career development.

Communication 

• We recommend communicating by messaging on the OBM and BMS Community Network
• Do not pass on personal information, including contact details, to anyone else unless you feel comfortable doing so. Bedford Modern School can take no responsibility for communication which takes place outside of the OBM and BMS Community Network
• It is useful for everyone involved if both parties respond to emails in a timely and professional manner.

Advice for mentors

• Think carefully about your goals and what you want to gain from being a mentor. Be realistic in how much time you can commit and the frequency of contact
• Devote time to the mentee
• Consider the challenges that your mentee is facing 
• Ask questions and share expertise 
• Assess existing skills and help identify skill gaps in your mentee
• Empower your mentee to make their own decisions about the best way forward for them 
• Follow through on commitments. 

Advice for mentees 

• Think carefully about what you want from the mentoring relationship 
• Consider your professional goals and how you would like to see yourself develop
• Be open-minded to advice and different perspectives
• Be open to seeking mentors outside of a specific subject or sector as valuable guidance can come from all career paths 
• Be receptive to feedback
• Follow through on commitments.