Qualities of Mentors & Mentees

Below you'll find information related to the mentor/mentee relationships.

Successful Characteristics of a Mentor

• Encourage and demonstrate confidence in your mentee
• Recognize your mentee as an individual with a private life and value him/ her has a person
• Ensure a positive and supportive professional environment for your mentee
• Don’t deny your own ignorance
• Be liberal with feedback
• Encourage independent behavior, but be willing to invest ample time in your mentee
• Provide accessibility and exposure for your mentee within your own professional circle both within and outside of the immediate university circle
• Illustrate the methodology and importance of  ‘networking’ in basic science
• Allow your mentee to assist you with projects, papers and research whenever possible and be generous with credit

Questions for the Mentor: Establishing & Clarifying Goals

• What do you want the mentee to be able to do or know?
• What are your (perceived and actual) responsibilities to your mentee?
• What is your own work style like? What is your mentee’s preferred work style?
• What kinds of decisions do you expect your mentee to make on his or her own? What kinds of decisions do you expect to be involved in?
• What kinds of opportunities can you provide your mentee that will help him or her acquire important skills / knowledge? Who else do you know who may be a good resource?
• How do you want your mentee to communicate with you? When is email appropriate? When is it necessary / important to meet face to face? Where is the best place for you to meet your mentor?
• What kind of feedback should your mentee expect from you? How often will you provide feedback? What is your turnaround time for providing feedback?
• How will you know if the relationship is working / productive? How will the two of you gauge satisfaction and productivity?
• How do you anticipate your relationship changing over time?

Download our Mentor Checklist.

Successful Characteristics of a Mentee

• Eagerness to learn and a respect and desire to learn from the person selected as the mentor
• Seriousness in the relationship
• Take the initiative in the relationship, especially in the beginning – be politely insistent about your desire for an active mentor
• Flexibility and an understanding of this senior professional’s demanding schedule
• Promptness for all appointments
• Feedback, even if nothing is requested
• Interest in your mentor’s professional journey. Also, acknowledge he or she has a life outside of the professional setting and knowing something about that can help you communicate better
• Never forget the time and effort this person is taking to offer you a smoother path on the way to success