For the Mentee
Mentoring is just-in-time help, insight into issues, and the sharing of expertise, values, skills, and perspectives. Mentors function as a catalyst—an agent that provokes a reaction that might not otherwise have taken place or speeds up a reaction that might have taken place in the future.
Resources For the Mentee
Career Planning
Mentoring is part of the larger process of career planning.
- The resource used in the EDUCAUSE Management Institute, Creating a Professional Development Plan, is a good place to start.
- The Professional Development resource page is an important resource for developing your career.
- Check out EDUCAUSE Career Development opportunities.
The first step in finding a mentor is to identify your mentoring needs. If you have a career plan, you may have already identified specific areas you would like to develop.
Identifying a mentor involves reaching out to others within your organization and profession. If you have identified a specific skill you'd like to develop, you might reach out to those that have that skill or knowledge.
Another key consideration in finding a mentor is to understand what aspects are important in participating in a mentoring relationship. Some key aspects include:
- Self-motivation and understanding of your mentoring goals
- Willingness to accept responsibility for your career
- Openness and willingness to learn and to accept constructive feedback
- Exhibiting trust behaviors and willingness to keep confidences
Questions to Get Started
Ask yourself the following questions to assist with selecting an appropriate mentor:
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Who knows me well enough to nominate me for positions?
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Who in our organization/profession makes assignments, appoints committees, task forces, and so forth?
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Who has the particular expertise that I lack? Who might be willing to teach me?
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Who knows the political aspects of our organization/profession? Who could give me good advice on how I might ensure success?
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Who knows me and my skills but also is in the know about our organization or profession? Would that person be willing to put my name forward?
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Who do I want to be like? Whose style am I comfortable with?
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Who do I go to when I need a boost? Who helps me feel that everything will be OK?
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Who do I feel comfortable sharing my feelings with? Who do I believe is wise in the ways of the world?
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Who do I connect with? Who do I want to spend more "quality time" with?