The Onboarding Partner Program is designed to provide new employees with a welcoming connection and an additional resource as they transition to their new role and become familiar with Taubman College. The program also gives current employees an opportunity to develop their mentorship skills by sharing their knowledge, building connections, and supporting a new colleague.
What to Expect
- Three-month assignment: Each new employee is paired with an onboarding partner for their first three months.
- Cross-team connection: Whenever possible, partners are selected from a different team to help new employees build connections across Taubman College.
- Regular connection: Partners and new employees are encouraged to establish a communication approach that works for both of their schedules and to connect regularly throughout the three months.
- Peer support: The onboarding partner serves as a friendly peer resource and community connection.
- One covered lunch: Taubman College HR will cover the cost of one onboarding partner lunch. Please reach out to taubmancollegehr@umich.edu for any questions about reimbursement or reconciliation.
Your Taubman College Onboarding Partner
Welcome to Taubman College! We are thrilled to have you join our community.
As part of your onboarding experience, you have been paired with an onboarding partner who will be a friendly point of connection during your first three months. Your partner can help you navigate the college, answer questions, share their experiences, and help you build connections beyond your immediate team.
What to Expect from Your Partner?
- Navigate Taubman College: Help you understand how things work, including systems, procedures, and informal norms.
- Share institutional knowledge: Provide insights into our culture, community, and resources.
- Build Connections: Help you get connected with colleagues, teams, and opportunities at the university.
- Be a welcoming resource: Encourage questions, offer support, and help you find answers
- Stay connected: Check in with you regularly through your first three months
Your onboarding partner is here to help you feel comfortable asking questions and getting connected. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
What your Partner is Not
Your onboarding partner is a peer resource, not a supervisor or trainer. They:
- Are not responsible for your job-specific training or performance management
- Are not an evaluator of your progress
- Are not expected to be available 24/7
We encourage you and your partner to establish a communication approach that works well for both of you.
How to be a Successful Onboarding Partner General Timeline
Thank you for serving as an onboarding partner! Your time, support, and willingness to share your experience can make a meaningful difference as a new colleague settles in, builds connections, and finds their place within the Taubman College community.
Partner Responsibilities:
Throughout the three-month assignment, you should:
- Serve as a positive, non-judgmental resource.
- Answer questions or help identify where to find answers.
- Share knowledge about Taubman College’s culture, norms, and procedures.
- Help your new colleague build connections and become engaged in the college community.
- Check in regularly and offer support when appropriate
- Be encouraging as they settle into their new role
Helpful Tips
Your role is to be welcoming, approachable, and willing to help your new colleague navigate their first few months. Some helpful tips include:
- Be welcoming and approachable: Give your new colleague time to get comfortable and reassure them that questions are welcome. Many new employees worry about being a bother, so let them know that you are happy to help.
- Make time for informal connection: Consider meeting over coffee, lunch, or Zoom and talking about your interests beyond work (current TV shows, books, etc.). Getting to know one another can help build trust and make the transition more comfortable.
- Share your experience: Talk about your own experience at Taubman College, including things you wish you had known when you first started.
- Help them find answers: It is okay to not know everything! If you don’t know an answer to a question, help them identify where they can find the information or who else they may be able to ask.
- Help them get connected: Invite them to community building activities, introduce them to colleagues, or suggest opportunities to learn more about the college and the university.
- Set healthy boundaries: Establish communication expectations that work for both of you, including your preferred method of contact (Slack, G-Chat, Zoom, etc.) and availability.
Your willingness to share what you know, offer guidance, and be a friendly face can go a long way in helping a new colleague feel welcomed at Taubman College.
Onboarding Partner Timeline
The first three months are an opportunity to get to know one another, share experiences, and build connections. Use this timeline as a guide, and find a rhythm that feels natural and works well for both of you.
First Week
- Onboarding partner sends welcome message and schedules introductory meeting
First Month
- Get to know one another and discuss communication preferences
- New employee to share questions and things they would like to learn about Taubman College
- Connect for coffee, lunch, or casual conversation
- Onboarding partner shares any tips, resources, and information
Months 2-3
- Continue regular check-ins
- Share resources, experiences, and connections
- Talk about how the transition is going and what would be useful moving forward
- Look for opportunities to connect with colleagues and participate in college activities
End of Month 3
- Have a final formal check-in and reflect on the experience
- Share any final resources or connections that may be helpful
- Continue any connections that have developed naturally
We hope you’ve enjoyed the onboarding partner program experience, learned something new from one another, and made some meaningful connections along the way. While the formal three-month partnership is wrapping up, we hope you’ll continue to stay in touch!