Options for matching mentees with mentors (One to One, One to Many, Many to Many)
The most common types of matching in mentoring programs are:
'One to One' Mentoring
Matching one mentor with one mentee. This can be achieved in a number of ways:
* Self matching
* The mentee selects a mentor based on the algorithm
* The mentor selects a mentee based on the algorithm
* Self matching format – options can be a swipe view, tile view or list view for selecting
* Approval options – the selectee can approve or decline plus there is an optional additional level of approval by an Admin (who can fine tune the matches at any point).
* Admin matching
* This is carried out by an easy matching table. The program administrator can click on a mentee and view a table showing all possible mentors for that mentee. These are sorted from the highest to lowest match score based on the matching algorithm
* Short list swipe view. A main admin table can identify the top 5 to 10 best scoring potential matches. There is the ability to click on a match to view a pop-up with the mentee and mentor info side by side.The data can be organized by priority (P1 fields, then P2, P3, etc.) making it easy to compare between the mentee, mentor and the other best mentor options. Then a match is selected.
* Auto-matching
An auto-match button selects the top match for each mentee. The order that it creates can be set to work for best possible match, or in random, alphabetically, or based on other rules specific to a program.
'One to Many' Mentoring
This can be done in a number of ways:
* Matching one mentor with many mentees – the mentor can select how many mentees they want to have.
* The mentees select their mentor and the mentor will only receive the maximum number of requests that they agree to work with (on first come first served basis). The mentor will never receive too many requests to select from.
* The mentor selects several mentees form a list of potential mentees.
* Matching one mentee with many mentors – based on program needs the limit is set for how many mentors a mentee can have. This is utilized in programs that need to match a mentee with a variety of mentors who could help with different aspects of life.
'Many to Many' (Group) Mentoring
Group mentoring can be achieved by:
* Creating groups that mentors and mentees can join
* There can be a limit on how many of each type can join and customized based on unique program needs
* An assigned group leader can lead communications and meeting invites
* Group activities can be added as needed (checklists, goals, tasks)
Find out how MentorEase can help your organization below: