Mentors
How do I become a Mentor?
Navigate to the Mentor Enroll page and complete the form. A complete member profile helps potential mentees find and connect with you.
Who are the Mentees?
Mentees are fellow ACOS members seeking guidance, support, and insight as they navigate their careers in surgery.
How many Mentees can I have?
There is no set limit. However, we encourage you to accept a number of mentees that allows you to provide meaningful engagement and support. You can also manage your availability in your mentoring settings.
How do I find Mentees?
On the Mentoring Directories page, use the “Find a Mentee” search tool to filter by interests, experience, and goals. From there, you can view profiles and send a request to connect.
What happens when someone requests me as a Mentor?
You’ll receive an email notification prompting you to review and accept or decline the request.
Can I decline a request?
Yes. If a request isn’t the right fit, you may decline. When possible, we encourage a brief, professional response to maintain a positive member experience. Manage your mentoring requests on the My Mentoring Relationships page.
What if I’m temporarily unavailable?
You can update your status to “Not Participating” in your mentoring settings. This will remove your profile from search results until you’re ready to re-engage.
How do I end a mentoring relationship?
When a relationship has reached its natural conclusion, mark it as “Completed” on the My Mentoring Relationships page.
If you need to end a relationship early, we encourage a respectful conversation before closing the connection.
What are the expectations for Mentors?
Mentors play an important role in strengthening the ACOS community. We encourage you to:
- Respond to requests in a timely manner
- Establish clear expectations with your mentee
- Maintain consistent communication based on your agreed schedule
How much time does mentoring require?
Time commitments vary. Most mentoring relationships involve brief monthly conversations or periodic check-ins. You and your mentee should decide what works best for both of you.
What are the benefits of serving as a Mentor?
Mentoring offers the opportunity to:
- Support the next generation of surgeons
- Strengthen professional connections
- Contribute to the ACOS community
Active mentors may also be recognized through ACOS programs and events.