Don’t be shy! Mentors want to help out by providing useful knowledge, and asking the right questions will play a big role in informing your future career path.
Below is a list of questions that you can ask an mentor:
What do you find important in making successful career decisions?
· What are your general tasks and responsibilities?
· What opportunities for advancement are there in this field?
· What qualities make someone successful at your company?
· What is the culture/work environment like?
· What skills or talents are essential for effectiveness in this job?
· What can increase my chances for getting a job with your company/in this industry?
· Where should I be looking for jobs?
· Do you feel you have a work-life balance? How many hours do you work?
· How does the employment outlook seem here in ______________. How about elsewhere?
· What other career fields are related to what you are currently doing?
· What are some of the growing concerns in this profession?
· What are the specialties in this area?
· What are the occupations in this field?
· How do you see jobs in this field changing in the future?
· Is there a demand for people in this occupation?
· What opportunities for advancement are there in this field?
· What are the top companies?
· What do you do? Describe a typical day
· What do you find to be the best things about your profession? The worst?
· How did you get into this occupation? Get started in this job?/What did you do before your current position?
· What do you enjoy about your career?/What don’t you enjoy?
· Do you feel as though you have work-life balance?/How many hours do you work?
· How did you prepare yourself for this job? For this profession?
· What classes or projects can I undertake to prepare myself for this career area?
· What is the most relevant major, course of study or preparation?
· What is the most valuable thing you learned during your training?
· Are there specific courses you would recommend I take now?
· What was your major? How was it helpful?
· What training, education or experience is required for this type of work?
· Knowing what you know now, would you choose the same occupation again? Why or why not?
· What advice do you have for me?
· What recommendations do you have for job searching?
· Do you know if your company has internships and how I could apply for them?
· Would it be possible for me to shadow you for a day or part of a day?
· What are the professional associations, journal and websites in the field?
· Where can I get more information about the industry/occupation?
· What do you know that you wish you knew when you were at Brooklyn College?
This is a generalized list that can apply for most mentors, regardless of their job. Some mentors may have specific information for their industry/career. Try to use these questions to formulate your own that could be about their specific position/industry.
Should you have any questions, please call the Magner Career Center at 718.951.5696 or email us at careernews@brooklyn.cuny.edu.