Mentoring

Mentorship is considered as a very important component of the functioning of higher education institutions. Mentoring can be defined as, “A professional relationship in which an experienced person (the mentor) assists another (the mentee) in developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance the mentee’s professional and personal growth”. The mentor’s role is to share experience, insights and feedback that will guide the mentee in the achievement of his or her learning objectives. A qualitative relationship between mentor and mentee is vital for the success of the mentoring system.

Listening plays an important part in the mentoring role – listening to understand the mentee’s goals and to uncover key learning opportunities that support those goals.

The 3 A’s of mentorship are fundamental to any form of mentorship. The mentor should be available, analytical, and an active listener.

A mentor has to listen carefully to his or her mentee’s goals, strengths and struggles. Based on those goals, the mentor supports the mentee in meeting his or her goals through questioning, providing guidance and feedback, sharing his or her own experiences, and possibly connecting the mentee with other individuals or groups who could help. The mentor should be supportive, not critical or negative, and should remember that everyone’s experiences and priorities are different.

Guidelines for Mentors

1. Each mentor is allotted a batch of students, as suggested by the Head of the Department in consultation with the Convenor of the Student Welfare Cell.
2. Mentors should conduct at least two meetings per month with their mentees and submit a brief report of the same to the Convenor of the Students Welfare Cell.
3. Mentors should take care of mentees’ academic and co-curricular interests and support them for improvement.
4. Mentors should encourage students to participate in extracurricular activities at College, State and National level.
5. Mentors should interact with parents only in case of extreme situations.
6. Mentors should maintain records of all the meetings held with mentees/ parents and keep a track of mentees’
7. Mentors should regularly update the record in the format provided by the office
8. Mentors should provide mentees with information about possible financial assistance / scholarship schemes and other financial aid available.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MENTOR:

• Listen actively, show empathy and interest,holding the focus on the mentee’s agenda
• Use different questioning techniques, taking appropriate approaches for betterment of the mentee
• Provide reliable and constructive advice and feedback for the mentee,that can be acted upon
• Help to define the mentee’s objectives
• Advise the mentee on group dynamics, study material, research, paper/dissertation writing, scholarships, and other schemes relevant to the mentee.
• Motivate the mentee to take up challenges for learning and development
• Be willing, when appropriate, to share your own work experiences, skills and networks
• Make time for meetings and commit to the mentoring program seriously
• Maintain absolute confidentiality about every student’s weaknesses.
• Extend encouragement for development of self-confidence and self-esteem
• Celebrate landmark and attainments with mentee
• Act as an expertized teacher and become a role model to the mentee
• Provide recognition, inspiration, and moral support to mentees
• Help the mentee become a better individual and take interest in the mentee’s progress
• Mentor must maintain integrity, fairness and justice.
• Mentor must uphold the need for continuous learning in terms of accuracy, honesty and truthfulness in supportive relationship system.
• Given that the mentoring relationship requires trust, communications between the mentee and mentor should be kept confidential.

Mentor Do’s 

1. Do showcase openness to mentee.
2. Be available and accessible.
3. Maintain professional boundaries
4. Provide networking experience, share knowledge of the system, offer assistance where needed.
5. Deal with mentee in an ethical and professional manner.
6. Be considerate about the mentee’s feelings and emotions.
7. Demonstrate ‘model professional attitude’ in mentoring.

For More details Contact:

Mrs. M Snehadevi, Associate Professor.