GENERAL
What is ACC Mentor Match?
ACC Mentor Match is a new online platform designed to support members' professional development by fostering meaningful mentoring relationships. This user-driven platform includes a searchable database where registered mentees can find mentors based on specific criteria, such as expertise and experience, to meet their growth goals. Similarly, mentors can search for potential mentees to share their knowledge and guidance. It’s the latest addition to ACC’s suite of resources aimed at empowering members in their professional journeys.
Is there a fee associated with using Mentor Matching?
Mentor Matching is a valuable benefit of ACC membership and is exclusively available to ACC members. There are no additional charges to access or use this resource—it's included as part of your membership.
How are Mentors and Mentees matched?
To participate in the Mentor Matching program, members must first enroll as either a Mentor, Mentee, or both.
A registered Mentee will visit the “Find a Mentor” page and enter their search criteria to identify potential Mentors. The Mentee can click on the profiles of potential Mentors to view more information. Once a Mentee selects a Mentor, they can click the Mentor badge (located below the Mentor’s profile picture) to send a request. An email will be sent to the selected Mentor, notifying them of the request. The Mentor will have the option to accept or decline the request.
Similarly, a registered Mentor will visit the “Find a Mentee” page and fill in their search criteria to find potential Mentees. The Mentor can click on the profiles of potential Mentees to review their information. Once a Mentor selects a Mentee, they can click the Mentee badge (located below the Mentee’s profile picture) to send a request. An email will be sent to the selected Mentee, notifying them of the request. The Mentee will then have the option to accept or decline the request.
FOR MENTORS
How do I become a Mentor?
If you are a member, click here to enroll as a Mentor. You will be instructed to choose your preferences for various demographics and to complete/update your member profile.
As a member, you can easily enroll as a Mentor by clicking here. During enrollment, you will be prompted to complete or update your member profile to ensure your information is up-to-date. This ensures that your profile accurately reflects your expertise and helps in finding suitable Mentees.
Who are the Mentees?
Mentees are ACC members seeking guidance and support to advance their careers. They may be early- to mid-career professionals looking to grow their skills, navigate challenges, or gain insights from experienced mentors.
Can I have more than one Mentee?
Yes, mentors can work with up to two mentees at a time. You can set your preferred limit for mentee requests on the mentoring enrollment page to manage your availability.
How do I find Mentees?
After enrolling as a Mentor, navigate to the "Find a Mentee" page. Use the search filters to set your criteria for finding a mentee. Click on a Mentee's name to view their profile. Once you've identified a good match, click on the Mentee badge below their profile image to send them an email request.
How will I know if a Mentee has selected me as their Mentor?
You will be notified via email once a Mentee has chosen you as their Mentor. The email will include their request, and you will have the option to either accept or decline the invitation.
Is it okay to reject a request?
Yes, it is perfectly fine to decline a request, but it’s important to have a good reason for doing so. We encourage you to at least have an initial conversation to determine if the relationship could be mutually beneficial. If a potential Mentee has misinterpreted information in your profile, you may find that they are not the right fit. To decline a request, simply visit the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and click the “decline” button next to the specific request.
What if I’m going to be on vacation or unavailable for a period of time?
You can easily adjust your availability by visiting the "Mentor Enrollment" page. Click on the “Mentor Status” link, then check the box next to “Temporarily Not Participating.” This will signal that you are currently unavailable to accept new Mentee requests, and your mentoring profile will not appear in Mentees' searches. Please note that it’s your responsibility to communicate your temporary availability to any existing Mentees.
How do I end a mentoring relationship?
If your mentoring relationship has come to a natural conclusion, you can easily mark it as “completed” by visiting the "My Mentoring Relationships" page.
If the mentoring relationship isn’t working out, it’s important to have an open and respectful conversation with your Mentee about your decision to end the relationship. Once you’ve had that discussion, go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and mark the relationship as “completed.”
What are the expectations for participating Mentors?
We expect that you will actively engage by committing to develop at least one mentoring relationship. It is important that you respond to Mentee requests promptly and maintain clear, consistent communication with your Mentees, as agreed upon by both parties.
How much time will I need to invest as a Mentor?
As a Mentor, we ask for a minimum commitment of 2 hours per month over a 6-month period. The key to a successful mentoring relationship is to establish clear, mutual expectations around time and communication from the start. Mentoring doesn’t always require extensive time—brief phone calls or email exchanges can make a significant difference. Additionally, chapter programs and the ACC Annual Meeting offer convenient opportunities to connect with your Mentees in person and further deepen your mentoring relationship.
Once a quarter, ACC will invite all Mentors to join a group call to reflect on their progress and engage in discussions with their Mentees.
What benefits do I receive from the organization if I participate as a Mentor in the program?
As a volunteer Mentor, you’ll play a key role in supporting the development of other in-house peers. As an active program participant, you will receive a special ribbon identifying you as a Mentor.
FOR MENTEES
How do I become a Mentee?
If you are an ACC member, simply click here to enroll as a Mentee. During enrollment, you’ll be asked to complete or update your member profile to ensure it accurately reflects your goals and needs. This will help match you with the most suitable Mentors based on your preferences.
Who are the Mentors?
Mentors are experienced members who have generously volunteered their time to support the professional development of fellow in-house peers. They bring their expertise, knowledge, and guidance to help others navigate their career journeys, offering valuable insights and advice to foster growth and success.
Can I have more than one Mentor?
During each 6-month mentoring relationship, you can have only one Mentor at a time. We encourage you to carefully select a Mentor whose expertise aligns with your specific needs. Keep in mind that Mentors have limited time and may already be involved in other mentoring relationships. Focusing on one relationship at a time ensures you receive the personalized guidance and support you need.
How do I find a Mentor?
Once you’ve enrolled as a Mentee, visit the "Find a Mentor" page and use the search criteria to filter potential Mentors based on your needs. Click on the Mentors’ names to view their profiles. When you find a suitable match, simply click the Mentor badge (located below the Mentor’s profile image) to send a request via email.
What should I do if I don’t hear from the Mentor I requested?
If you don’t receive a response from the Mentor within one or two weeks, you can reach out to them directly using the contact information provided on their member profile page.
What if the Mentor isn’t the right “fit” for my needs?
Sometimes, despite initial matching, Mentors and Mentees may not be the ideal fit. If you find this to be the case, we recommend having an honest and respectful conversation with your Mentor. Thank them for their time, and then feel free to begin a new search to find a Mentor whose expertise and guidance better align with your needs.
Where can I meet with my Mentor?
The choice of how, when, and where you connect with your Mentor is entirely up to you both. Most of your communication will likely take place over Zoom, Teams, or similar, or through electronic means. Additionally, chapter programs and the ACC Annual Meeting provide valuable opportunities to meet your Mentor in person and further deepen your mentoring relationship.
How long does the mentoring relationship last?
The initial timeframe for the mentoring relationship is 6 months. We recommend that you and your Mentor agree on a schedule that works best for both of you. The most important thing is to discuss your mutual expectations around time and communication at the start of your relationship. Depending on your needs and progress, the relationship can be extended or adjusted as needed.
CONTACT US
Have questions? Feel free to reach out to us at
mentoring@acc.com for any assistance or inquiries regarding the mentoring program. We’re here to help!