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Mentor Information

WHAT IS A MENTOR

An experienced and knowledgeable individual who helps another person set and achieve specific professional goals by sharing the wisdom of past experiences to guide career development.

GUIDELINES FOR A MENTOR

Mentors impart their knowledge, skills, experience and advice to their mentees, thereby assisting with career development and goal attainment. In order to maximize this relationship, a mentor should:

• Act as a positive role model, teacher, advisor, facilitator and professional resource
• Be willing to share skills, knowledge and experiences with mentee
• Be comfortable delivering constructive feedback in a manner that helps the mentee increase self-awareness and competency while maintaining self-esteem
• Have reasonable expectations of the mentee
• Help mentee set goals, and develop action plans leading to goal attainment and learning
• Commit to the mentor/mentee relationship, allocating appropriate time and focus
• Follow through on commitments or renegotiate appropriately

The mentor program is not intended for counseling or advice on personal matters.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR A MENTOR

Following the annual information session, a mentor application must be completed at http://www.marist.edu/humanresources/mpwmp/. This application will be used by the advisory committee to help determine mentor eligibility and pair selection. Upon acceptance into the program, information from the application will be used to create an on-mentor profile. This profile, which will include information on your work history, education, and professional qualities will be posted on the program website to be viewed by potential mentees. Those selected as a mentor will be contacted by their potential mentee, and all other applicants will automatically retain active status for the next cycle of the program. The time commitment for the program is at least six months, at which time there is an opportunity for either party to end the relationship OR remain for up to one year. In addition, all mentors will be required to attend a mandatory training and orientation session. Other responsibilties for a mentor include:

• Establish initial meeting with mentee and arrange for follow up meetings via email, face to face, phone, etc. One hour of face to face meeting time is required per month
• Offer opportunities to share knowledge and areas of expertise
• Establish appropriate boundaries for the mentor/mentee relationship
• Periodically assess the relationship to determine if appropriate progress is being made
• Provide valuable feedback to advisory committee when requested
• Act appropriately as a positive role model and mentor
• Take measures to terminate relationship if needs and goals are not being met by either party and/or if confidentiality can no longer be upheld

Additional resources for mentors and mentees are available in the Office of Human Resources, extension 3349