What is mentoring?
A process that involves a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helping to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person in their learning and development in order to formulate and achieve their goals. Mentoring occurs on an ongoing basis and may have either a formal or informal structure.
What are the benefits of mentoring?
- Develop new networks and contacts
- Identifying areas for professional growth
- Plan and look at your career more strategically
- Finding new ways to approach old problems
- Gain knowledge and improve your performance
- Increase your confidence
- Enhance your career opportunities
- Grow and mature as an individual
What are my responsibilities as a Mentee?
- Listen and consider the advice that is offered
- Think about and develop your career goals and objectives
- Take responsibility for your learning – ask questions
- Be committed, be organized and be open minded
- Get motivated and get involved - you are the driver of this relationship
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Remember at times some conversations may be of a sensitive nature, so it is important to maintain confidentiality
How am I matched with my Mentor?
When you signed up for the mentoring program you were asked how you would like to be matched with your Mentor. You chose one of the following options:
- nominate my Mentor;
- be matched with a Mentor with similar research interests; or
- A Mentor can nominate me as their Mentee.
What are the responsibilities of my Mentor?
Your Mentor is there to facilitate your development by acting as an advisor based on your needs. This may include helping you determine your career goals, helping you realize your strengths and weaknesses and sharing insights with you about their career, work and life experience. As the more experienced professional, your Mentor will share their experiences with you and help guide you based on your goals. Your Mentor may offer you advice on your career direction, introduce you to new networks, or help you formulate your research or career goals.
What level of participation is required by me?
It is assumed that you will participate in the mentoring program for at least a 6 month period. You may wish end your mentoring relationship at the end of this initial 6 month period or continue the relationship for another 6 months. Alternatively, you may wish to have a different Mentor for another 6 month period. The decision is up to you and you should discuss this decision with your Mentor.
What support is available to me?
As part of the Mentoring@ACEMS program a Mentoring Seminar Series will also be launched to help you navigate your way through the mentoring process. The Mentoring Seminar Series will cover a range of topics that will be helpful to you whilst you are on your mentoring journey. The Mentoring Seminar Series topics are listed in the Mentoring Plan which can be found on the ACEMS website. If you are unable to attend the Seminar Series each seminar will be recorded and the seminar presentation will be made available through the Resources tab on the ACEMS Reportal.
ACEMS has a Project Officer looking after the day-to-day operation of the Mentoring@ACEMS program until the program is up and running. Alternatively, if required, please seek out the advice of careers specialists on your university campus or talk to your supervisor or a fellow student if you need further advice or help with mentoring.
FAQ's
What do I need to do as a mentee?
You need to ask questions and think about how your Mentor can assist you. Think about what you can gain from this relationship and how you can make it work for you. Make a list of questions for your Mentor based on your goals and objectives and discuss these questions with our Mentor.
Is there a cost to participate?
No, the only cost is your time and energy. Note, you may incur incidental costs such as coffee, etc. Please note that these costs cannot be reimbursed by ACEMS or your Node.
What will we discuss?
At your initial first meeting you should establish some boundaries or ground rules of your mentoring relationship and your expectations with your Mentor. You should also define or state some goals you hope to achieve or work towards during your mentoring relationship. At the meetings that follow you will then discuss your progress in reaching the goals you set at the first meeting. Discuss any problems you may have encountered since your last meeting. Discuss what may not be working for you. You could also discuss the content of the Mentoring Seminar Series with your Mentor.