Mentors, Mentees & Mentoring “helping our faculty and trainees reach their full potential” Charles J. Gomer Professor of Pediatrics & Radiation Oncology

Why does USC promote mentoring? “Behind every successful person, there is one elementary truth: somewhere, somehow, someone cared about their growth and development . This person was their mentor” (Beverley Kaye, Up is Not the Only Way, 1997) Many times there will be multiple mentors!

Mentors share experiences and advice in a variety of areas Career advancement, guidance on resources, promotion Professional practice skills Grantsmanship, scientific oversight Publishing, scientific writing skills Teaching skills, curriculum development Enhancing professional visibility (networking) Overcoming barriers to success, time management Meshing a career with a personal life

Characteristics of a Good Mentor Approachable and welcoming Shares information and experiences openly Good communication skills Trustworthy Provides accurate and appropriate feedback Technical expertise Motivating, encouraging, positive and empowering Allocates appropriate time to mentoring An effective intermediary

Characteristics of a Good Mentee Asks questions Willing to be mentored Strives to give his/her best at all times Accepts criticism graciously Learns from mistakes Has courage to try new things Accepts responsibilities Open and honest Respectful and grateful Listens, watches, learns, grows

Mentoring Skills: Listening “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Steven Covey “Never miss a good opportunity to shut up and listen.” Will Rogers

Empathy One of the most important skills you will ever acquire. It is listening so intently and identifying so closely that you experience the other person’s situation, thoughts and emotions.

Building Trust Follow policies and guidelines Make expectations clear Provide feedback that is useful Maintain a positive tone Demonstrate concern for the mentee

Postdoctoral Goals Expand research expertise Perform public presentations Publish, publish, publish Acquire grantsmanship & teaching skills Develop professional relationships Develop mentoring skills

Postdoctoral Expectations Favorable work environment -facilities and funding -research focus -advisor presence and input Enhanced learning potential Professional development opportunities

Advisor Expectations Laboratory Skills -bring in expertise -learn and teach new skills -Contribute positively to the advisor’s research program Design, perform, supervise, present, publish

Student Goals to be able to do real science to be able to understand research problems to determine the data needed and how to collect it to develop abilities to think independently and creatively to acquire attitudes & skills of scientists to become adept in the lab

Student Expectations A positive relationship with their faculty mentor and research team Respect Real work, not busy work New friends & social interactions Succeeding in a new organization, setting, laboratory

Mentoring students Make sure students know they matter Explain the “why” when you ask them to do something Look for opportunities to reward them Provide feedback Make work enjoyable Model the behavior you want Molidor, JB. Here comes Gen Why! Interacting with the next generation of learners. APPD meeting, April 2006

USC Mentoring Resources Primary Link www.mentor.usc.edu Resources (Depts., Faculty, Students) www.mentor.usc.edu/resources School/Unit Mentoring Activities www.mentor.usc.edu/schoolunit-mentoring-activities Mellon Mentoring (culture of mentoring) www.mentor.usc.edu/home/mellon-mentoring/