1. Building and Maintaining a Successful Mentor-Mentee Relationship
Winny Dong
Director, Office of Undergraduate Research
Professor, Chemical and Materials Engineering

2. What Does it Mean to Have a Mentor?
Trusted and experienced advisor.
Someone who is invested in your growth.
An advocate for you.

3. Benefits of a Good Mentor-Mentee Relationship
Expand your view of your discipline and long-term career planning
Receive honest and informal feedback
Recommendation for jobs and graduate schools
Opportunities for funding, scholarships, and other resources
Opportunities for growing as a professional in your field
Provide an outlet to discuss concerns
Other HIPs: First-Year Experiences
Common Intellectual Experiences, Learning Communities , Writing-Intensive Courses , Collaborative Assignments and Projects, Undergraduate Research, Service Learning, Community-Based Learning, Diversity/Global Learning, Internships, Capstone Courses and Projects

4. Tips on Being a Good Mentee
Respect your mentor
Understanding expectations
Meet regularly with your mentor, be prepared for meetings
Keep yourself informed
Ask for and give feedback
Take responsibility for own growth and success
Follow through on referrals from mentor, show appreciation, give back
Listen actively
Ask your mentor for guidance and assistance whenever needed
Present needs in an articulate way

5. It is OK to Have More Than One Mentor
No one person is the perfect mentor for you
Understand and respect your mentor’s limitations
Mentors can come from various places
Having a mentor is a commitment and responsibility on your part – do not take it lightly

6. Building a Mentoring Relationship
Mentor and mentee become acquainted and informally clarify their common interests, shared values, and professional goals
Mentoring interaction fosters mutual interest and enthusiasm
Mentor and mentee establish rapport & trust with each other
Mentee imagines mentor will support him/her in a significant way
Mentor begins to visualize mentee as coachable, enjoyable to work with, someone with potential

7. Developing Common Expectations
Mentor and mentee communicate initial expectations and agree upon some common procedures and expectations as a starting point
Determining the frequency of contact, the availability, and the accessibility of the mentor and mentee
Goals and expected outcomes of the mentoring relationship are developed by the mentor and mentee together
The amount and kind of support that are needed by the mentee or that can be provided by the mentor

8. During the Mentoring Relationship
Gradually, needs are fulfilled. Objectives are met. Professional growth takes place. New challenges are presented and achieved
Both parties serve their maximum range of functions in their roles
Expectations are reinforced or modified due to personal development and growth
Satisfaction and mutual exchange are at their peak
Mutual confidence develops between the mentor and mentee

9. Mentee Responsibilities
Respond to mentor's request to meet
Share information about your background, your needs and values, and your aspirations
Discuss goals to achieve your needs and aspirations
Set goals for yourself, and follow through on them. Don't be afraid to raise your expectations or redefine your goals as part of the ongoing process
With your mentor, decide what steps will need to be taken to achieve your goals
Remember to both listen and talk
Be receptive to feedback and coaching Feedback should be perceived as an opportunity for growth

10. Summary It is a privilege to have a mentor
Having a mentor has many benefits
Having a mentor is a responsibility and requires you to work to maintain that relationship