How to Contact a Potential Mentor
Once you've explored your options, you'll begin contacting potential LINK mentors to see if that placement is a good fit--both for you and for them.
Refer to the handy flow chart made by LINK guru and former LINK coordinator Janae Hunderman on the right to see how to go about making contact. You can email, call, or stop by Elliot's office with the intention of setting up a time to talk. Remember, some folks will be familiar with Animas High School's LINK program, and some will not be, so it's wise to be prepared to provide a brief description of how the internship program works. Whatever you do (say you'll stop by, schedule a meeting or phone call), make sure you FOLLOW THROUGH! |
Writing your email:
Be professional! Use "Mr." or "Mrs./Ms.," check your spelling and grammar and err on the side of being formal. Send a draft of your email to Janae if you'd like a second set of eyes on it--she's happy to give you feedback!
What to include in your first phone call or email:
Once you're in touch, ask if you can come visit the business or organization, and offer to come in for an interview. Seeing the physical location and meeting your potential mentor face-to-face will give you a much better idea of whether this is the internship for you. In your follow-up, ask great questions:
Remember, you want to find an internship that you'll be excited to attend every day. Find the mentor and the placement that inspire you!
As always, Elliot is ready and willing to assist in any step of this process! Feel free to set up an appointment using the link above.
*****EGADS! I've reached out to more than one person and they both said yes! What do I do!?!?******
This is great news! Now you can take your pick of which one you like best. But then, you must be honest with the other person. Contact them and let them know-
*You appreciate them taking the time to discuss the possibility
*You've found another opportunity that is a better fit
*Thank them again for their generosity
Failure to do the above, and "ghosting" a potential mentor, represents AHS very, very poorly, PLEASE do no burn our bridges with community members!
Be professional! Use "Mr." or "Mrs./Ms.," check your spelling and grammar and err on the side of being formal. Send a draft of your email to Janae if you'd like a second set of eyes on it--she's happy to give you feedback!
What to include in your first phone call or email:
- Who are you? -a junior at Animas High School
- What is Animas High School? -a public school of choice in Durango that has a college-prep curriculum using project-based learning
- Why are you contacting them? -you're interested in exploring the possibility of completing your internship with that business or organization
- Why them? - what are your interests, what experience have you had, what do you hope to learn from them?
- What is LINK? -a three week internship opportunity this May, include a link to THIS LINK WEBSITE for their reference
- What else? - consider saying that you have attached your resume (and attach it!)
Once you're in touch, ask if you can come visit the business or organization, and offer to come in for an interview. Seeing the physical location and meeting your potential mentor face-to-face will give you a much better idea of whether this is the internship for you. In your follow-up, ask great questions:
- What would my work look like on a daily basis?
- What are the skills or experience you're hoping for in an intern?
- What might I learn here as an intern?
- Confirm that you can meet the LINK requirements (30-40 hours a week and an independent project)
- What specific projects, events or activities might be happening that I could help with? Do you have ideas for an independent project I could complete during my internship that would be valuable to your business or organization?
- Do I LIKE this person? (Keep that question on the inside, of course!)
Remember, you want to find an internship that you'll be excited to attend every day. Find the mentor and the placement that inspire you!
As always, Elliot is ready and willing to assist in any step of this process! Feel free to set up an appointment using the link above.
*****EGADS! I've reached out to more than one person and they both said yes! What do I do!?!?******
This is great news! Now you can take your pick of which one you like best. But then, you must be honest with the other person. Contact them and let them know-
*You appreciate them taking the time to discuss the possibility
*You've found another opportunity that is a better fit
*Thank them again for their generosity
Failure to do the above, and "ghosting" a potential mentor, represents AHS very, very poorly, PLEASE do no burn our bridges with community members!
For more information about LINK contact Work-Based Learning and LINK Coordinator Elliot Baglini
at [email protected] or (970) 247-2474
at [email protected] or (970) 247-2474