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MNHQ

Mumsnet mentoring: can you help?

33 replies

RowanMumsnet · 04/07/2014 16:14

Hello,

As some of you will have noticed, we launched the Mumsnet Mentoring area a few months ago.

The idea is to leverage MNers' wealth of incredible careers experience to help other MNers who are switching careers, or re-starting after a career break; and also to help MNers who want to advise school-aged/teenaged children on subject choices, tertiary education, training and/or whatnot for their preferred careers.

But - and we're gonna have to put a sad face here Sad - not many of you are filling in the Tell us about your career or become a mentor bit.

So we'd like you to do one of the things that you do best, and give us some full and frank criticism. Why are MNers not using it?

Your views are important to us and we'd really like this to work

Thanks
MNHQ

OP posts:
Theincidental · 04/07/2014 16:16

Honestly? This is the first I've read about it. I'll go and have a look now though Grin

Theincidental · 04/07/2014 16:17

Or, I would but it's not available on a mobile!

NatashaBee · 04/07/2014 16:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

trixymalixy · 04/07/2014 16:41

I was involved in the thread that suggested the mentoring, but this is the first I've heard about it actually being launched!! I'll fill in the form when I have time later.

emsiewill · 04/07/2014 16:42

Done, although my career has been a mishmash and followed a strange path, so not sure how much use I will be... Confused

MNHQ
RowanMumsnet · 04/07/2014 17:17

@Theincidental

Or, I would but it's not available on a mobile!

Oh blast

OP posts:
HungryHorace · 04/07/2014 19:33

Done it!

addictedtosugar · 04/07/2014 20:01

I don't want my salary band and MN name available to browse, and particularly don't want my company name/job title there also.

Basically, combined with linkedin, I would be identifiable if anyone chose to, and I don't want that link.

flowery · 04/07/2014 20:03

Didn't know about it

Next to no information about most of the jobs so people browsing careers trying to find something that suits them are not going to find it particularly useful.

The "what kind of person would it suit" section of each career doesn't give any actual real useful information I don't think. All the "spending parties in the toilet or on the table stuff?" I think actual solid information would be much more useful, and for many careers, people with different answers to some of those questions would be successful anyway. And some of them are downright obscure. I'm afraid it reads a bit like you're trying to be cool rather than helpful - sorry!

It's not clear until you click on become a mentor what is actually expected. I think lots of people will assume it means what it usually means and be put off by the time commitment involved, whereas when you actually go to do it, it seems answering questions by email is all that is expected. It's not clear whether you will be "mentor" to more than one person at a time.

The homepage of the mentoring section just actually needs more content, more about how it works, that type of thing. The aims you stated in your OP to this thread Rowan aren't actually clear from the section itself.

Sorry - you did ask!

OTheHugeManatee · 04/07/2014 20:06

Never heard of it before. But I don't want to fill that form in. Agree with addicted that it would make me 100% identifiable to anyone with an iota of Google-fu. I don't fancy sharing my salary with the entire universe.

Blankiefan · 04/07/2014 20:38

Being identifiable is a total barrier to me. Particularly at work. Which is a shame, as I would otherwise participate.

How about having a different "mentor name" that you can choose - people could fill in their existing name or choose another.

Also, I wouldn't detail my employer in as I'd be concerned about social networking policy implications.

Finally, how about letting people set up different roles (ones we've previously held) so you can explain more junior jobs you've had than your current one. More help for people and people could choose whether or not to include your current one.

Blankiefan · 04/07/2014 20:55

Ok - I've given it more than a cursory glance and it already does most of that stuff! Maybe that's the issue - you may have to make these points more obvious...

Azquilith · 04/07/2014 21:00

Wouldn't mind helping but wouldn't want to be identifiable and certainly wouldn't want to put company name in.

DocDaneeka · 04/07/2014 21:07

I don't want my salary band and MN name available to browse, and particularly don't want my company name/job title there also

Basically, combined with linkedin, I would be identifiable if anyone chose to, and I don't want that link

This, plus we have an aggressive social media policy. I probably wouldn't be allowed to be identifiable.

Oh and this is the first I've heard of it. Good idea tho. I'll fill it in if I don't have to be identifiable.

toothlessoldhag · 04/07/2014 21:12

As the others have said: hadn't noticed it, and wouldn't do it as I wouldn't want to be identified, nor to expose my identity via PM to a stranger. I know you're trying to be lighthearted, but the "would this job suit..." is insulting to anyone with half a brain, and that is, I suspect, most of your readership. N.b. where would a lawyer tick? A teacher? An aerospace engineer? A pharmacist? A neuroscientist? You get my drift.

Yours,

Grumpy and toothlessoldhag

Elysianfields · 04/07/2014 21:12

Yep me too, I enjoy mentoring but I cannot be identifiable and if you google my job title you get only me.

More anonymity and I will join the queue

DocDaneeka · 04/07/2014 21:12

And the radio button thing at the bottom is fucking insulting. I'd expect that sort of shite in Take a Break. If this is a serious service the please be slightly serious.

toothlessoldhag · 04/07/2014 21:13

Ps I'd much rather continue to contribute to relevant threads in higher education.

scottishmummy · 04/07/2014 21:20

Ok it's off putting that respondent need to give mn name.do anonymise it
Your suits someone who categories,are v wanky.were you trying to be funny?
You're asking huge disclosure from respondents,that's off putting

mrscumberbatch · 04/07/2014 21:26

I hadn't heard of it either.
I'm happy to give my tuppence worth or contribute to a thread but I wouldn't want to be a 'mentor'.

Offering support online is fine but when it gets down to the nitty gritty- people aren't always who they say they are and I don't want to get overly involved with any individuals. There's also the fact that some guidance may come down to a matter of opinion and I wouldn't want to be held liable for business advice gone awry.

Also the field that I am in is ferociously competitive, so I don't really want to give away too many trade secrets.

EBearhug · 04/07/2014 22:51

Hadn't heard (read) anything about it.

Haffdonga · 04/07/2014 23:00

I'm interested but it's too 'outy' for me.

CroydonFacelift · 04/07/2014 23:03

The thing about mentoring is that its a 1:1 arrangement and it needs to be properly managed, mentored and with a contract/commitment of some sort or its meaningless, really.

No offence, MNHQ, but its just not a well thought out offer.

CroydonFacelift · 04/07/2014 23:03

*monitored not mentored

Wigeon · 04/07/2014 23:08

This thread is the first I've heard of it.

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