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Q: What is Micro Mentoring?

A: IEEE CS SYP Micro Mentoring is a global initiative that aims at creating a mentoring framework with a focus on Computing and allied topics, making mentoring focused, useful and accessible. We strive to enable short and focused mentoring to superpower the education and career of the members of the IEEE Computer Society and future engineers!

Q: What is the format of Micro Mentoring?

A:

1. Micro is often used for the one-millionth part of anything. Micro Mentoring is a version of mentoring where it happens in a short and focused way. Every mentoring round is 3-4 months, with biweekly meetings and focused discussions.
2. Mentors and mentees are paired up in a way that they belong to the same region or the nearest country so that the timezone difference is at most +/- 3 hours as well as have the same topics and interests in their career paths.
3. The mentors and mentees sign a mentoring contract (informal yet a promise). Then the mentoring happens as the mentors and mentees decide but the recommendation is a 45-minute session every 2 weeks. Regular feedback is collected and the Micro Mentoring team monitors progress and problems.
4. Mentors and mentees are recommended to try and meet in person at least once, maybe at an SYP event, but otherwise, the mentoring happens completely online.

Q: What is Nano Mentoring?

A: Nano Mentoring is a compressed form of Micro Mentoring. Nano is one-billionth of something.

• Nano Mentoring acts as a precursor to Micro Mentoring for people who have never tried mentoring. Shorter and more like getting some most important questions answered and getting to know a mentor.
• It is also the second entry path into Micro Mentoring. If the mentor and mentee think they need to continue the mentoring, they get onboarded into Micro Mentoring and continue the mentoring relationship.
• Nano mentoring happens for 1 to 3 hours (flexible, as per the event schedule, but not less than 1 hour). Ideally, we expect the programme organisers to let the mentors and mentees start at lunch break (1 hour) and then add 30 minutes to 1 hour for the interaction as per the schedule slots.
• The Why: This will become a micro-volunteering opportunity for the mentors and a good mentoring opportunity and efficient utilization of networking time for the mentees.

Q: What is the format of Nano Mentoring?

A: Format: Nano Mentoring takes two forms - fully offline and hybrid mode (Blended Nano Mentoring).

• Offline event happens at the event venue for 1-3 hours depending on the programme schedule, but not less than 1 hour.