Mentor Interview

What are the 2 most important “take-aways” you learned from your mentor during the discussion?

When looking back at the interview, the first important “take-away” that I learned from my mentor was the importance of learning wheelchair maintenance. This skill can be used in any setting not just the one of adaptive sports. The second important “take-away” that I learned from my mentor is to always be prepared and organized. He showed me how, with their last meeting, they had a clipboard with everything that they were going to discuss and that was everything that they had to get through within that meeting. Overall, I feel like these are two very important “take-aways” that can be used in future opportunities for me.

What are the 2 most surprising things you learned about your mentor?

When looking back at the interview, the first most surprising thing that I learned about my mentor is that he actually went back to school to become a CTRS. He was working at the YMCA as a wellness director before he went back to school, but he wanted to work on inclusion for people who have physical disabilities. The second most surprising thing that I learned about my mentor is that wheelchair rugby was brought to Sportable thanks to him in a way. His previous supervisor, who he kept in contact with, knew how much he enjoyed interning at Sportable and how much he loved rugby and told him that they were thinking of bringing that sport to the agency and that he should apply. Overall, I think that finding out these two things about my mentor really helped because I didn’t start out as a therapeutic recreation major like him and we have both interned (me currently interning) at Sportable.

What is the most impressive thing you learned about your mentor?

The most impressive thing that I learned about my mentor is his determination to get at least one program back up and running this summer. He knows that there are some risks involved with it just like there is on a regular basis with sports, but he wants to make it possible for the athletes and coaches to return safely. I learned that he has been working a lot with his coworkers on finding ways to make it so that they can get the programs back whether it is making everything take a screening test before participating or wearing masks. He has put a lot of work and effort into this and he for sure knows the risks that comes along with everything.

After reviewing and reflecting on your conversation with your mentor, what greater insights have you gained about yourself, your perception of this internship and your mentor?

I have gained greater insights about myself in the sense of feeling a little more prepared and excited for this new way of having an internship. I know that this internship isn’t going to be like I had hoped it would, but I am looking on the bright side of actually being able to have it with the agency that I was accepted at. I also feel like I got to know my mentor more because I feel like I didn’t know him as well due to the fact I had only met him three times for short periods of time. Overall, I am looking forward to everything that is in store with this internship.

Questions from interview:

Stories

1.How did you land your current role?

3.Can you tell me about a time when you had a difficult boss? How did you handle it?

6.Tell me about a recent setback and how you recovered?

Situations

10.Who are the people I need to align with in this organization to achieve success?

12.How do you successfully stay connected to key influencers who do not work in same office or geographical area?

13.When trying to gain buy-in to implement a new program, what tactics have worked for you?

Self-awareness 

15.What do you see as some of your blind spots?

19. How are you viewed (i.e., what’s your personal brand) in your organization?

20.Did everyone understand what you presented at the last meeting?

Skill-building

22.How do you approach risk-taking?

23.What new skills do I need to move ahead?

25.How can I become better at managing people who do not report to me?