Mentoring
Novice and beginning dental hygiene researchers need effective mentors. The following information outlines elements of the mentor-protégé relationship and provides suggestions for resources.
- Relationship between more experienced and less experienced individuals
- Goal is growth of protégé
- Dynamic relationship
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Mentors are distinct from other potentially influential people
- Role models, advisors, teachers, supervisors, coaches
See Eby LT and Allen TD. Moving Toward Interdisciplinary Dialogue in Mentoring Scholarship: An Introduction to the Special Issue. J Vocat Behav. 2008; 72(2): 159–167.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2390903/
Resources for Mentoring Graduate Students, Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching and Learning
https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/mentoring-graduate-students/#what_is
- It is important, manage the mentor-protégé relationships appropriately and be aware of early signs of potential problems to avoid potential damages.
- See Chandler DE, Eby L, and McManus SE. When Mentoring Goes Bad: A good relationship can help both mentor and protégé. Here's how to make sure that happens. WSJ, May 24, 2010. See video at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703699204575016920463719744
- Mentoring is essential for career growth. Formal and informal mentoring is common in academic settings.
- Mentee should complete an analysis of his/hers strengths and weaknesses, short and long-term goals, and resources and support necessary to achieve the goals.
- Ongoing process evaluated periodically
- Seek mentors who will be forthright and who will provide constructive feedback regarding strengths and weaknesses.
- A mentor should also challenge the mentee and encourage ‘thinking outside of the box.’
- Importantly, mentoring needs to ‘fit’ for both the mentor and the mentee
- Mentorship has been found to positively affect personal and career development, self-confidence, and research productivity. In contrast, lack of mentorship has been shown to be a significant barrier to career advancement, particularly in women.
- Positive “mentee–mentor” relationship also increases the likelihood that current mentees will become future mentors.