Mentor Information

Why be a mentor?
Characteristics of a Mentor
Roles of a Mentor
Responsibilities of a Mentor
Mentor’s Checklist
To Volunteer as a Mentor

Why be a mentor?

• Opportunity to affect the future; "long after you’ve retired from the world of grants, publications, students and patients, your work will still be going on in those you’ve guided as a mentor. "
• Intellectual stimulation

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Characteristics of a Mentor

• Senior faculty member
• Expert
• Teacher
• Leader
• Role model
• Guide
• Coach
• Cheerleader
• Moral supporter

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Roles of a Mentor

• Coaching
• Emotional support
• Evaluative feedback
• Introductions
• Information/resource
• Advice

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Responsibilities of a Mentor

• Encourage and demonstrate confidence in your mentee
• Recognize your mentee as an individual with a private life and value her/him as a person
• Ensure a positive and supportive professional environment for your mentee
• Be liberal with feedback
• Encourage independent behavior, but be willing to invest ample time in your mentee
• Provide accessibility and exposure for your mentee within your own professional circle both within and outside the immediate university circle.
• Illustrate the methodology and importance of "networking" in basic science
• Allow your mentee to assist you with projects, papers and research whenever possible and be generous with credit.

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	Set aside an hour for first meeting. Obtain CV ahead to know pertinent professional information. Use this hour to get to know one another.
	Share information on how to contact each other, ie phone, e-mail, pager, etc.
	Ask your mentee what he or she expects of you.
	Tell your mentee what you expect
	Review strengths and weaknesses; goals; and priorities
	Develop a career development plan for mentee based on institution’s promotion and tenure policies and review regularly for accomplishment.
	Either set a regular time to meet or set the next meeting at the conclusion of this meeting. Be flexible, but insistent about meeting.
	Advise regarding committee membership; introduce to key people in the institution; invite to social functions as your guest; introduce to other professionals in the community.
	Give regular constructive feedback

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