Guidelines for iMentor Guest Speakers

The iMentor guest speakers program brings professionals from a variety of backgrounds into the classrooms of New York City public schools. Volunteer mentors visit iMentor’s partner schools and afterschool programs to share insights about careers and engage students in a dialogue about their educational path and professional goals.

Sample questions from students include:

• What did it take you to get where you are now?

• How did you choose your profession?

• What kinds of skills are required for your work?

• What kind of struggles and successes have you experienced?

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How to Make a Good Presentation

- Speak slowly and clearly.

- Give a brief overview of your career and the educational path you took to get there.

- We encourage handouts with descriptions and resources for your specific career.

- Use appropriate language. Avoid lingo and acronyms. If you use lingo and acronyms explain what they means and how they are used.

- For certain sites, especially students who are studying English as a second language, avoid idiomatic expressions or culturally specific expressions, i.e. “Hit the ball out of the park.”

- During your presentation use active or positive response techniques, i.e. “Who is with me?”

- Remember your audience… they are teenage students. Make your presentation dynamic and exciting.

- Brainstorm a list of questions you think might interest your audience of high school students.

- Again, speak slowly and clearly and you will be a great success!