When the term "mentoring" is used, face-to-face mentoring generally comes to mind. However, with the increased use of electronic communication, electronic mentoring, also called E-mentoring, telementoring, cybermentoring, or virtual mentoring, is becoming increasingly popular. Many of the goals and purposes of face-to-face mentoring and e-mentoring are similar. In both forms of mentoring, a more experienced and knowledgeable person provides advice, support, and encouragement to a less experienced person. On the other hand, with the growth in information technology, electronic mentoring provides opportunities for mentoring not possible with face-to-face mentoring programs.
It has only been in the last few years that electronic communications have become available throughout businesses, homes, and schools. Electronic communications have recently increased dramatically in the U.S. and are now nearly ubiquitous on college campuses and industrial sites. Convenient, regular, informal discourse between individuals in disparate locations is now a matter of course.
E-mentoring is growing rapidly. One of the greatest advantages of electronic communication is that it provides a very flexible communication environment independent of time and space, allowing for asynchronous exchanges, thus making them an ideal medium for mentoring. The flexible communication environment allows those who are outside the college campus to mentor students. Professionals who do not have the time to meet face-to-face for mentoring meetings can readily provide advice, suggestions, and support to students while sitting at their desk or while out of town. The College of Business Advisory Council E-Mentoring Program is designed to make mentoring convenient for mentors and students alike, allowing participants to easily communicate on a regular basis via e-mail.
The goal of this E-Mentoring Program is to help College of Business students gain an inside look into their area of career interest, build personal and professional contacts, and develop a supportive mentoring relationship with an Advisory Council mentor. The program also aims to provide an opportunity for College of Business Advisory Council members to be involved with student success and to stay connected to the College of Business and Minnesota State University, Mankato.
The E-Mentoring Program is an academic-year-long program that matches members of the College of Business Advisory Council with current College of Business students. Suggested "prompter" topics are sent electronically to each mentor and student protege on a regular basis. These prompts may be used or mentors and students are free to use their own discussion topics.
Even though this program is basically via e-mail, at least two face-to-face meetings are important parts of the program. The first face-to-face meeting is the Kick-Off Reception and is the event where mentors and students meet for the first time. This occurs during the annual Advisory Council meeting in early October. Then after corresponding via e-mail throughout the academic year, the formal part of the program ends with a Wrap-Up Celebration and Luncheon in mid-April. A third face-to-face meeting is encouraged. This is a shadow day where students are invited to their mentor's place of business and participate in meetings and network with other individuals in the company. Students are also encouraged to invite their mentor to campus for a "Day in the Life of a Student" day.
