Build Relationships
Mentor Defined
A mentor is an advisor who may provide academic or career guidance, networking opportunities, and insights into the working world. Similar career goals, shared interests, or common academic backgrounds provide the foundation for the mentee/mentor relationship. The mentee and the mentor will mutually agree upon the nature of the relationship.
Benefits of Mentoring
Enrich your own life by making a difference in someone else’s.
Reconnect to the School of Biological Sciences on a personal level.
Gain new skills as you advise and counsel students.
Share your own experiences and insights.
Guidelines to Becoming a Mentor
A successful mentorship involves initiative on the part of both the mentee and the mentor. The following list includes activities and steps that mentors may take to benefit mentees.
- Schedule to meet at least 4 times throughout Fall quarter, twice in Winter, and once or twice in Spring.
- Be approachable and accessible by e-mail and/or telephone.
- Attend the virtual and in-person mentor program events.
Mentor Responsibilities
- Sharing knowledge about specific jobs, career paths, industries, and organizational cultures.
- Facilitating networking and building a professional network that will help your mentee consider career choices and goals.
- Providing constructive feedback about your mentee’s personal and professional skills.
- Communicating your expectations and working with the mentee to set clearly defined goals.
- Guiding your mentee toward achieving a specific goal.
- Setting realistic expectations regarding method and frequency of communication with your mentee.
- Being available and maintaining consistent contact.
- Listening to your mentee.
Applications for 2023-24 are now closed.
If you have any questions please email biosci-mentor@uci.edu.