Thank you to all who attended our last webinar, Leveraging Mentor Relationships, with Véronique Couttee. We had a great time talking about mentorship experiences and learning from each other.
What is mentorship?
- “Often close connections that support individuals in self-discovery, cultivate abilities, and support connections personally and professionally.”
- Bi-directional/ multi-directional
- Mentorships are what you make of them
Where can I find a mentor?
- Conferences
- ELP Network
- Research online, faculty bios on university websites
- Professors/Supervisors
- Informational Interviews
Identify and communicate your needs. Mentorship relationships will look different for different people. Brainstorm some qualities you would want in a mentor. Some people want a casual and friendly relationship, others want a strictly professional and practical discourse.
- What support do you want?
- What do you want to learn?
- What goals do you have for this relationship?
- How do you best communicate?
Reaching out to a potential mentor doesn't have to be scary. In an email, simply note how you appreciate their work, define the work you are doing or hope to be doing, and give a clear ask. Is the ask a question about a specific project you're working on? Be specific. This is a great opportunity to practice your elevator pitch!
Thank you to Véronique Couttee for contributing her insights, and thank you to ELP staff for facilitating a great conversation.