Mutual Respect and Trust
A mentor has moved beyond preoccupation with self to foster the growth of a developing professional. For the relationship to be successful, it is necessary for the mentor and trainees to respect and trust one another.
Understanding and Empathy
When interacting with trainees, the mentor needs to be aware of cultural and gender differences that can cause misunderstandings and damage the relationship.
The mentor also has to be aware and tolerant of trainees’ life styles that are different from the mentor’s. Many students are supporting themselves through undergraduate or graduate programs and cannot devote their entire schedules to academics. Many have serious family responsibilities, such as small children or ailing parents. These situations may be very different from those the mentors experienced while in college.
Availability
One of the most important aspects for the mentor is to make time for the trainees. Trust and mutual respect are difficult to build unless the mentor and trainees have opportunities to get to know one another.
It is important for the mentor to schedule regular meeting times with the trainees. This ensures that the tasks at hand (advising, research, etc.) get accomplished in a timely manner; it is also an opportunity for the mentor to show the trainees that the mentor values their time together.
Meeting times are also an occasion for the mentor to discuss problems as they arise. If the mentor observes that trainees are not around as much and other warning signs, such as falling grades, regular meeting times give the mentor an opportunity to offer the trainees help.
Encouragement
Above all, the mentor should be a relentless supporter of the trainees’ efforts and aspirations. The mentor should encourage trainees to pursue their own ideas and plans and help develop and refine them.
The mentor should encourage the trainees to expand their knowledge base and skills, so they can achieve their goals.
The mentor should support the trainees and encourage them not to give up when things are hard.
