Tips For New Mentors
Being a new mentor comes with its own challenges. We recommend that you read through the Before You Start Mentoring section . Then use these tips as a reminder.
Set expectations clearly and early on for both you and your mentee.
Adjust expectations regularly because life and research don’t go as planned.
Understand your mentee’s goals and help them create a feasible plan to achieve them.
Discuss what your mentee needs from the mentor/mentee relationship and check in regularly to ensure things are working.
Share your calendars to make it easy to know when eachother are free and busy.
Plan ahead for your mentee to need you so that you can invest in them properly (i.e., set aside 2 hours/week for your mentee and consider that time sacred).
Follow through on what you say you will do in a timely manner.
Be honest when you don’t have time to do something for your mentee and say ‘no’ or ‘later’ to their requests when you need to.
If you’re busy and can’t take the time to help your mentee with a request, encourage them to check back in at a time when you will be less busy and able to help.
Be realistic about your mentee based on their available time, priorities, and skills.
Work with your mentee to find ways they can contribute even in light of their limitations.
Try to tailor your mentoring style to each mentee.
Help your mentee understand how best to communicate with you and try to understand how best to communicate with them.
Build a relationship through mutual trust and respect.
