Mentors
Desired Mentor Characteristics
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Willing to dedicate time
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Skilled at communication and listening
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Skilled at giving and receiving feedback
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Can model effective behaviors
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Can connect Mentee with other leaders or experts
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Can provide opportunities for practice
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Sincere interest in Mentee’s development
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Focus on the mentee's development and resist the urge to produce a clone
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Help the mentee solve his or her own problem, rather than give direction
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Develop mutual trust and respect
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Maintain confidentiality
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Listen both to what is being said and how it is being said
Tips for Mentors
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Discuss topics other than your career experience
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Recommended topics: Accommodation issues, school experience, client interaction, disclosing a disability, career challenges and milestones, writing for publication, the internship process, networking and so forth.
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Set up a routine meeting time
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We recommend at least two meetings, 1 hour each meeting for each cycle/month.
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Check in periodically
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Many mentees are not communicative because they don't know how to ask for help, checking in periodically will help to facilitate trust and demonstrates that you care about your mentee.