mentoring

Recommendations from the Mentoring Committee:

A) Come to your meetings with an agenda, even an informal one

B) Aim for mentoring meetings to be about professional growth, and not focusing on work-related projects.

From ACRL Instruction Section Mentoring Program, Mentee Tip Sheet

1. Keep communications open. Your mentor will initiate the first communication, but feel free to contact him or her as topics or questions arise. Tell your mentor about yourself, professionally and personally (your experience, interests, etc). Be comfortable talking with your mentor: be yourself, listen carefully, and ask lots of questions. Let your mentor know about your communication style, your comfort level, and how to motivate you.

2. Define expectations. Establish clear ground rules and expectations for time commitments and the scope of this mentoring relationship at the onset of the mentoring relationship. Discuss your goals for this mentorship with your mentor at the very beginning, and seek your mentor’s feedback on these goals. This will help maximize the efficiency of the mentorship.

3. Take initiative and be an active mentee. Be proactive in all aspects of the mentoring relationship. Listen carefully to your mentor’s advice, but also feel free to introduce new ideas. Ask for and learn about your mentor’s personal experiences. Feel comfortable asking your mentor anything within the bounds of the mentorship: no question is silly.

4. Accept support. Your mentor will help you to establish realistic goals, suggest courses, and encourage participation. Work together to set clear boundaries in this supportive pairing.

5. Be available / accessible. Look ahead and let your mentor know if you will be unavailable for extended periods of time. Whenever possible, meet face to face (e.g. at conferences or other professional venues) for more in-depth discussions. Be flexible in meeting on your mentor’s schedule. Be punctual: arrive at your meetings on time and prepared. Your mentor is generously giving you their time, make the most of it.

6. Be reliable and consistent. Demonstrate to your mentor that you are consistent, dependable, and are a valuable investment of their time and energy. Gain your mentor’s trust while giving them yours, and rely on your mentor for help.

7. Be prepared to accept honest feedback. Be open to our conversations and comfortable asking questions. Do not feel like you must impress your mentor. Make certain your mentor is familiar with your strengths, interests and skills. Give your mentor feedback and recognize the contributions and help your mentor has given you.

8. Be innovative and creative. Share your ideas and be a resource for new ideas.

9. Respect confidentiality. Keep conversations between you and your mentor is private and confidential. Make sure this expectation for confidentiality is clear and reciprocal: your mentor must also feel confident in you maintaining confidentiality.

10. Help your mentor help you. Remember that mentoring relationships are reciprocal: this relationship will be valuable for your mentor as well. The most effective mentor-mentee relationships are built on mutual learning, so be open and alert to what your mentor can learn from this pairing. Ask questions, experiment, have fun.

11. Address misunderstandings as they arise. Communicate problems, issues, and misunderstandings within the relationship directly with your mentor in a timely fashion.

12. Contact the Mentoring Steering Committee with any questions or concerns during the mentorship.