Mentor Overview
Being a mentor is a rewarding experience that both mentee and mentor can benefit from.
As a mentor, you get:
- Recognition of your investment in the next generation of researchers.
- Satisfaction in fostering the development of a junior researcher.
- Development of personal support network.
- Ideas and feedback for your research/scholarship.
- Opportunities for collaborative relationships.
- Engagement and networking with other colleagues in the CDA community.
The goal of mentorship is to help your mentee be successful in his/her professional endeavors. However, it's ultimately up to you and your mentee to decide what you both want to gain out of this relationship.
A mentor is someone who is committed to the professional growth of the mentee. The expectation of a mentor is to spend time with the mentee and
- Be accessible through prearranged communication method(s).
- Provide constructive feedback (with specific suggestions for improvement) as well as praise when warranted.
- Listen actively.
- Express clear and positive expectations.
- Set high standards for the mentee.
- Challenge mentee to achieve goals.
- Support and facilitate development of mentee's professional network.