Student-Mentor Relationships Helen C. Harton Professor of Psychology

What is a mentor, and why do I need one? Could be academic advisor, thesis supervisor, graduate coordinator, or other faculty member Could be academic advisor, thesis supervisor, graduate coordinator, or other faculty member Can be a formal or informal relationship Can be a formal or informal relationship People who are mentored are generally more successful People who are mentored are generally more successful Remember that you don’t have to get everything from one person Remember that you don’t have to get everything from one person

A good mentor should… Spend time with you Spend time with you Provide you with feedback Provide you with feedback Provide you with information/resources Provide you with information/resources Support you and be willing to go to bat for you Support you and be willing to go to bat for you Help you find useful experiences/colleagues Help you find useful experiences/colleagues

How should you choose a mentor? Things to consider about yourself Things to consider about yourself –Research/scholarly interests –Current level of knowledge/skills –Timetable –What and how much support you need

Things to consider about the mentor Things to consider about the mentor –Availability –Reputation –Track record –Personality Talk to advanced students about potential mentors Talk to advanced students about potential mentors Fit is everything! Fit is everything!

How can you be a good mentee? Communicate clearly about expectations Communicate clearly about expectations Be respectful of their time Be respectful of their time Be respectful of their feedback Be respectful of their feedback Trust that they know more than you, at least about some things Trust that they know more than you, at least about some things Know what their pet peeves are Know what their pet peeves are Come with solutions, not problems Come with solutions, not problems

Admit your mistakes Admit your mistakes Don’t assume they can read your mind Don’t assume they can read your mind Be pleasant to work with Be pleasant to work with Be independent but not too independent Be independent but not too independent Plan on revisions Plan on revisions Realize faculty are human and have outside lives too Realize faculty are human and have outside lives too

What should you do if it’s not working Be open and communicate with the mentor first Be open and communicate with the mentor first Be careful with (though it can be helpful in documentation) Be careful with (though it can be helpful in documentation) Don’t escalate Don’t escalate Check with others to make sure you’re seeing things accurately Check with others to make sure you’re seeing things accurately

If it’s still bad… Exploitation Exploitation Harassment Harassment Talk to someone you trust (e.g., grad coordinator, department head) and if that person doesn’t listen, find someone else Talk to someone you trust (e.g., grad coordinator, department head) and if that person doesn’t listen, find someone else Keep in mind that some faculty are obligated to report sexual harassment Keep in mind that some faculty are obligated to report sexual harassment

Remember You don’t HAVE to have a mentor You don’t HAVE to have a mentor Your ideal mentor may actually be outside your department or a peer Your ideal mentor may actually be outside your department or a peer Don’t get discouraged—there are people out there who’d love to help you succeed and are a good fit for your needs and interests. Don’t get discouraged—there are people out there who’d love to help you succeed and are a good fit for your needs and interests.