Facebook wants to make it easier for you to achieve your goals. They want you to connect with someone who has “been there, done that!” The social network has released a new platform on Facebook Groups that will help you find a mentor or a mentee; experience expertise in your area of interest who could bridge those challenges that are keeping you away from breaking that glass ceiling.
“By bringing Mentorship to groups, people in existing communities can now connect and get one-on-one support through a guided program,” said Gabriel Cohen, Product Manager for Mentorship at Facebook.
The mentor-mentee feature is availed to select groups whose focus is on parenting, professional, and personal development. Going by the social network questionable measures on privacy and security, (asheeew Cambridge Analytica) one must be forgiven for wondering if this is not another data mining gimmick by the social network hell-bent in knowing anything and everything about you. So that they can be able to serve you highly targeted ads, or loose (asheew sell your data) it.
To allay such fears, Facebook says all communications between the mentor and mentee are only visible to the two. Not even the social network has got access to communications between the pair. Though users have the option of reporting any concerns to Facebook and will have the usual safety and privacy options for reporting and blocking.
How Facebook Groups Mentor-Mentee feature works
Group admins create a mentorship program: Admins can choose from a variety of template programs, such as career advancement, skill development, or encouragement and support, and select the one that best fits their community’s needs.
People sign up and are matched with their mentor/mentee: Group members can sign up to be a mentor or a mentee, then the group admin will pair people together.
Pairs are introduced: Pairs can get to know each other and work through program steps in their one-on-one mentorship program on Facebook. They can share and comment on posts there or communicate through Messenger.
Mentors and mentees get step-by-step guidance: The pairs progress through a guided program that encourages them to check in with each other weekly.
The mentorship program will only be available to users’ 18-years-old and over.
