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For mentees
You’ve found a mentor – now what?
Having a mentor can be an enriching experience, but forging a plan and doing some prep work can help you to make the most of your mentoring journey.
Key takeaways
Identifying your specific goals can help you to make sure the mentoring stays on track.
Mentors are volunteers willing to give up time to help you. Come prepared to your meetings with your mentor by having an agenda and completing agreed-upon tasks from the last session.
Have an agreement in place to ensure mutual trust can be developed throughout the relationship.
Read time: 3 min
Setting the stage for the mentoring relationship
Mentoring is a relationship, and like any relationship, it takes thought, effort and time to cultivate. To begin on the right foot, start by reflecting on your goals and how you want to achieve those via mentoring.
Clarify your goals
Are you looking for a sounding board, advice on how to approach a strategic decision, or guidance on dealing with a difficult situation? Are you aiming to apply for a grant or fellowship, or seeking academic promotion? Are you looking to establish your own research group or to explore career path options with people who have experienced them?
Be ready to share this with your mentor (or prospective mentor) on your first meeting.
If you’re unsure what you want to achieve, then take a step back and consider what decisions you are trying to make at the moment. Is there anything that is causing you to pause or be unsure of what to do next? In your recent AP&D (UniKey requied), are there any goals that you would like to discuss?
Read our page on identifying your academic career goals and consider completing the Career Planning Workbook (pdf, 120 KB) (UniKey required) to get you thinking about where you are currently and where you want to be.
Advice from University of Sydney researchers
Tips for fostering the relationship
Respect and maintain boundaries
There are many benefits of a mentoring relationship, but it cannot be taken for granted that it will work or always be positive, which is why it’s important for you to draw some boundaries at the outset. These boundaries can be written in the form of a contract or verbal agreement, but at a minimum should be clearly articulated and discussed.
Demands on time and attention can cause strain and it is vital to not treat this relationship like a friendship or a counselling session unless agreed upon.
Be proactive and prepared
Whether you’re meeting your mentor in an office, online, or in a coffee shop, it’s important to make the most of your time together, so come prepared. There are several ways you can do this:
- Be punctual – your mentor is volunteering their time to support you, so respect that commitment and avoid being late.
- Have an agenda or a clear plan of what you want to cover in the session – as a mentee, it is up to you to drive the session.
- Complete the tasks agreed upon in your previous session – progress happens when you build on what you have already done, so be sure to continue with the momentum.
Be honest and open
Clear and honest communication is the cornerstone of any good relationship, so to get the most out of mentoring, it’s best to be open with your mentor. This requires trust, which can take time to build.
Be open to feedback
Be open to what feedback or suggestions your mentor might have for you. While it can be difficult to hear things we don’t want to hear, you have approached them to be a mentor and provide their input and insights, so consider the suggestions. You never know, they might be just what you need!