Professional mentoring: How to find and be a good mentor Johnson Center Thursday Lunch Program 13 April 2017

“Sink or Swim” Myth “I was miserable and had to figure everything out myself, so other people should have to go through the same thing. If they can’t, then they don’t deserve to be here. Sink or swim, baby.” (“Sink or Swim”) Privileges political and organizational savvy over disciplinary expertise and teaching potential. Promotes an unhealthy reproduction of “pain culture.”

The Guru Myth “A highly supportive all-knowing senior person who shares knowledge with them, cares for them, guides their career over a long period of time, and protects them from any evil forces in their department.” (“A New Model of Mentoring”) Assumption: The one Great Person can provide all of the professional needs of a new colleague. The Great Person “has the time, energy and desire to actively assist the new faculty member.” (“A New Model of Mentoring”) Mentoring is invisible and unrewarded labor.

The “Secret Knowledge” Myth When new faculty find it difficult to get “an honest, clear, and concise answer to the most basic questions.” (Source: “Sink or Swim”) Official knowledge vs. how things really work in terms of culture, procedures, and evaluation. Results in misinformation, insecurity, and mistakes.

Networking Model A broad range of on- and off-campus contacts make up a healthy and productive networking network. Privileges the new faculty member’s needs, not mentor’s experience. (Similar to student-centered teaching.) Encourages the faculty member to ask “what do I need and where is the best place to get it?” Goal: To shift from dependency and hierarchy to empowerment and support.

New Faculty Members Have Wide Range of Needs Professional development Emotional support Intellectual community Role models Safe space Accountability for what really matters Access to opportunities and resources Substantive feedback Source: (“Don’t Talk About Mentoring”)

Mentoring Map

New Faculty Members Keep asking yourself: What do I need and where can I get my needs met? Imagine mentoring as a broad, dynamic network instead of a relationship with one person throughout your career. When you receive advice, always ask: “How exactly did you do that?” Familiarize yourself with the research on teaching, productive academic writing, academic time management, balancing work and family, negotiating, and healthy conflict as needed. Repeat to yourself: “There is no guru.” Source: “The Limits of Anecdote”

Resources: Kerry Ann Rockquemore. “Don’t Talk About Mentoring.” 3 October 2011. -----. The Limits of Anecdotes.” Inside Higher Ed. 2 November 2011. -----. “A New Model For Mentoring.” Inside Higher Ed. 22 July 2013. -----. “Sink or Swim.” Inside Higher Ed. 17 October 2011.