Mentor Roles, Responsibilities
& Benefits
A mentor makes
a commitment to an assigned mentee (or a group of mentees and mentors
called a "Mentor Circle")
to help her or him grow into the organization's culture and become
a productive and effective organization member.
Mentor Criteria:
- considered
a role model in their position or area
- be committed
to the mentoring process
- ability
to respond to individual circumstances
- ability
to encourage and motivate others
- create a
continuous learning environment
- has obtained
the respect of others at the university
- has and
is willing to commit time to be a mentor
- possesses
the knowledge and influence needed to be a mentor
- willingness
to share knowledge
- possesses
good interpersonal communication skills
- willingness
to make a commitment
A mentor's
role may include, but is not limited to:
Advisor:
Provide mentee with useful information about the university that
is not provided during orientation to campus; offer mentee an
avenue for social and emotional support during their transition
into the university; familiarize mentee with the numerous sources
and resources located throughout the university community.
Positive
role model: Mentee can learn what it takes to succeed in the
university by watching how individuals in senior positions conduct
themselves and interact with others.
Coach:
Advise mentee on how to accomplish their goals; provide feedback
above and beyond what supervisors provide. Help the mentee develop
alternatives to address work-related problems or create learning
opportunities. Teach the mentee organizational and professional
skills and help "decode" the university culture; create
an atmosphere where mentees can learn from their own and each
other's experience, mistakes, and successes as well as from their
mentor's experiences.
Supporter:
Encourage the participation of the mentee on committees to increase
visibility; enhance the mentee's self-esteem through supportive,
nonjudgmental discussions and "pep talks."
Mentor Responsibilities:
- Meet regularly
with the mentee - preferably 2-3 times per month
- Maintain
strict confidentiality (the mentor will not provide input to a
performance review, nor coach on performance issues.)
- Listen and
give feedback/guidance
- Monitor,
review, critique, and discuss potential actions; do not just expect
performance or give answers
- Refer mentee
to appropriate office for specific information when appropriate
- Reinforce
relationship between employee and supervisor
Benefits
of participating in the program for a Mentor:
- Increased
communication about what is happening in other areas of the university
- Gain increased
respect and recognition from others
- Extend their
network to other mentors and mentees
- Contribute
to the development of employees
- Contribute
towards more excitement about being an employee of UW Oshkosh
- Use or develop
additional skills
- Improves
your job satisfaction
- Provides
a window to "get by giving"
- Enhances
your value to others.