Mentorship: A Success Key for Graduate Students

PACES Workshop

Saturday, Oct 11th, 2014

By the end of this session you will understand… The importance of mentorship for your graduate

program success The characteristics and qualities that make for a

good mentor What qualities you possess/need as a mentee Your goals for graduate education The importance and role of your values and beliefs The issues that may affect the mentor/mentee

relationship How to select the right mentor for you What the issues are for you as a mentee How to make mentorship work well for you

What does it take to be successful as a graduate student? Motivation Perseverance Love of learning Good time management Leading a balanced life Financial support Emotional & intellectual support Encouragement Valuable, useful feedback Resilience Others?

How do you access most of these? Family and friends Other students Faculty Other professionals Within yourself

How about mentors? Can any or all of these be mentors for you?

Mentorship – what is it? Homer’s Iliad & Odyssey (Mentor was Odysseus’

trusted friend and advisor) What is a mentor?

One who is committed to help others achieve: A better understanding of themselves, their place in the world,

and their search for meaningful living

How does that differ from a “coach” or “advisor?” A coach is someone who helps us acquire skills An advisor is someone who may provide sound guidance

but may remain removed or aloof from the individual

Mentorship is a role that is more ‘a calling’ than part of one’s job description

Characteristics of a Mentor Respect

For a student’s uniqueness as well as capacity and preferred mode of learning

A mentor never compromises the student’s dignity Commitment

To excellence in process and outcome Demanding

Have quality standards; push students to their potential

Availability Within reason, at the disposal of their students Students feel welcome to appts; boundaries set

clearly

Characteristics of a Mentor Encouraging

Motivator through behavior, optimistic outlook, provides explicit encouragement

Ethical Mentor is a role model for students; behavior is

beyond ethical reproach Trust occurs when students are secure in belief that

they will be treated with dignity Philosophical

Have ‘big picture’ in mind when counseling Openness

Open to discovery, new ways of thinking, to new possibilities

What about characteristics of the Mentee? Respectful

Cardinal virtue of any relationship is to respect the other’s dignity

If not present relationships deteriorate into mutual use and abuse

Committed To course of study and an academic standard of

excellence that exceeds the ordinary Passionate

Need to have “fire in the belly”; stubbornness not to succumb to challenges

Philosophical openness to discovery Needs to take chances; be open to challenges to

perspectives

What about characteristics of the Mentee? Ethical

Conduct themselves with utmost concern for ethical scholarship & honest interaction with mentor(s)

Is it surprising that the characteristics are nearly the same for both the mentor and mentee?

Both parties are part of the same relationship Both parties should be ‘on the same page’ Both parties mutually benefit from the relationship

What is the purpose of graduate education? Succeed in completing the degree? To receive as much funding as possible? To publish results? To develop the mentee and mentor to a higher

state of cognitive awareness? To facilitate an environment in which the

mentor and mentee can flourish?

The ultimate goal… To flourish as individuals – better thinkers, better

decision-makers, better writers, better professors… better people.

Mentorship Audit: Questions for Students and Professors Do you know yourself?

How would you describe yourself to your professor? Take 3-4 minutes to compose your own description…

“I am intellectually curious… I appreciate learning new things (skills, knowledge, processes, results, etc.) whether in- or outside of my disciplines. I’m a visual learner and want to know more about the ‘why or how’ than the ‘who or what.’ I value commitment to excellence and try to strive for it whenever possible. I value having a few close friendships over many acquaintances. I don’t suffer foolishness very well, either in ideas or people. I’m more of a ‘loner’ than a ‘joiner’, but I do enjoy working as a team.”

What are potentially critical personal issues that may affect my mentorship?

Personality traits (list yours)

Work ethic (what’s your level?)

Life priorities (list yours, in rank order)

What is your background knowledge level?

What external issues are important to you? (list yours)

What are my goals and objectives? Beyond completing the degree? (list yours)

How do you expect completing the degree will contribute to your over-arching life goals?

What are my values and beliefs? Critical components of who you are Prioritize your life and dictate what is most

important to you Allow you to keep life in balance, preventing

burnout & distraction Integral parts of what you produce throughout

the mentorship process Knowing them in advance will help guide the

process, avoid biases, and produce work you’re proud of

Stretch & Bathroom Break

Why do I need a mentor? If you see graduate education as more than

credentialism, mentorship can be a medium to attain a deeper sense of flourishing

A mentor is familiar with alternative paths and whether they lead to success or failure

Provides objective insight, advice, and can bolster student’s confidence in the graduate process

What do I look for in a mentor? Expertise in your field of choice

Experience in the mentorship process

Interests compatible with your own goals

Shared values and beliefs

Advice: don’t discount compatibility of your personality with that of a possible mentor

Who do I really want and need to go through the journey successfully?

Compromises are inevitable Prioritize your list of mentor traits; some may be

needed while others are wanted Don’t sacrifice the needed traits

Don’t be overly influenced by a mentor’s popularity

What do mentors usually look for in a potential mentee? Top quality?.. Dedication

Process of mentorship is long & arduous Involves tremendous investment of energy & time Mentors look for students who are highly

committed to their own success Manifested as knowing his/herself and having clarity of

purpose

Next, having compatible interests and personalities

Advice for Your First Meeting For the mentor… Can take the initiative in describing their

beliefs and values to the student Values, beliefs, and vision in life feed one’s

passion Guidance, experience, and advice help clarify

priorities

For the mentee… Share your beliefs, values, and commitment

to the process Communicate what you need and want out of

the mentorship in order to meet your long-term goal(s)

Before leaving the meeting you need to know… Your respective rights and responsibilities in

topic selection, committee selection, timely submission and response to student writing

Regular meeting times, reports, and feedback When and where the next meeting should be What the student needs to prepare and

produce before the next meeting What the mentor needs to provide at the next

meeting Let each other know how you feel about your

first meeting

Mentorship Issues for Professors View issues and problems as challenges and

opportunities Find/build common interests

Mentoring students is not for the purpose of advancing your career

Socratic ignorance (‘knowing that you don’t know it all’) Mentoring is a process to build confidence and

esteem, as well as giving to others and acknowledging weaknesses

Socratic questioning (answer questions with questions) Don’t ‘fix’ everything or ‘take care of’ the mentee

Listen… and listen with empathy and compassion

Set achievable goals and realistic expectations

Mentorship Issues for Professors Be like bamboo – firm & flexible

Know when to be firm and when to allow bending of the rules

Leap ahead Help mentee remove or go around the barriers (emotional,

financial, academic, relationship, procedures, etc.) Sometimes students need a gentle hand to push and/or pull

Share your knowledge, skills, and experiences with the mentee Research shows that employees who have a close

relationship with their supervisor are 2.5 times more likely to be satisfied with their job

Issues for Students as Mentees What are my own responsibilities?

Be an eager and active participant in your own academic development

Seek out new information, ideas, develop a critical thinking style Keep a journal of your reflections

How could I help my mentor to help me? Have a clear idea of what it is that you would like

to see develop from your relationship Explicitly communicate your personal and

professional goals Be clear as to the goals of your mentor

Issues for Students as Mentees What constitutes a healthy debate?

Both parties are active listeners and respond to each other’s comments in a respectful and thoughtful manner

Maintenance and expression of mutual respect No obligation to agree with mentor, and

differences in opinion can lead to productive, healthy discussion

When should I hold my ground? Reaching an impasse based on fundamental

differences in values or beliefs… ideally, two people agree to disagree

Opens up opportunity for conflict resolution

What happens when conflict(s) cannot be resolved? Discuss how both the mentee and mentor

would like to proceed beyond an impasse If emotions become involved, a cooling off

period may be required before proceeding If still in conflict, an outside mediator may be

required A mutually-respected 3rd-party

In summary… A mentorship relationship can substantially add to

the experience of graduate education, a process and outcome that benefits students and faculty alike

The quality of the experience can ‘make or break’ the potential for a lasting professional relationship, so ‘shop wisely’ Not every mentor is right for every student (and vice

versa) ‘Goodness of fit’ should feel right to both parties Mutual respect is key Relationships are organic, ever changing and maturing Provide important developmental steps to degree success Source of lasting memories and satisfaction of helping

others

Questions?

Please complete a session evaluation before you leave & enjoy the rest of the weekend!