Mentors, Mentees & Mentoring “helping our faculty and trainees reach their full potential” Charles J. Gomer, Ph.D. Professor of Pediatrics and Radiation Oncology Vice Chair of Pediatrics for Faculty Affairs

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.” (Beverly 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 and 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 intermediate

Characteristics of a Good Mentee Asks questions Willing to be mentored Strives to give his/her best at all times Accepts criticism graciously 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” Steve Covey “Never miss a good opportunity to shut up and listen” Will Rogers

Mentoring Skills: 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.

Mentoring Skills: 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, resources, funding Research focus Advisor is present and provides 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 participate in 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 a scientist To become adept in the laboratory

Student Expectations A positive relationship with their faculty mentor and research team Respect Real work, not busy work New friends and 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

USC Mentoring Resources Primary Link mentor.usc.edu Resources (Faculty Portal) faculty.usc.edu/mentoring (Development and Mentoring) Research (workshops and training) research.usc.edu