Mentee Workbook Contents Overview 3 Priorities for Development

Mentee Workbook

Contents Overview……………………. . 3 Priorities for Development………. …………… 4 Writing Effective Objectives………………. . . 6 Statement of Objectives Worksheet…………. . ………………. . 7 Mentoring Action Plan Example………………………. ……… 8 Progress Measures………………. . . …………… 10 Mentoring Action Plan………………………. . . … 11 Progress Check Sheet………………………. ……. . 13 2

Overview Welcome to the “Mentee Workbook”. The purpose of this workbook is to help you build your mentoring development plan. After completing this workbook you will have a detailed action plan for your chosen mentoring topic and be prepared to obtain support for your plan. Keep an Open Mind As you work through the sheets on the following pages, keep an open mind. This is a time to explore new possibilities, and to take initiative in creating your future. This workbook is a tool which will help you to clearly focus on your mentoring goal. 3

Priorities for Development Where will you focus your mentoring efforts? Take a few minutes to consolidate your thoughts and identify your priorities for your personal/professional development. Desired Skill Development/Development Needs Write the technical or career skill(s) you would like to develop below (this should reflect the topic you chose on your original application to become a mentee) Example: Develop presentation skills Example: Acquire improved ways of working with colleagues __________________________________________ 4

Priorities for Development cont… What specific skills/attitudes would help you achieve your desired goal? Example: (1) better communication (2) greater self esteem/confidence (3) better understanding of subject material of presentation 1. 2. 3. 5

Writing Effective Objectives A key step in developing your mentoring goal is to convert your priorities into an effective objective. An objective is a desired outcome, target or result. It states simply what you want to achieve, but it does not describe the tasks or activities that you undertake to achieve it. When writing objectives, begin each with an action word such as evaluate, investigate, eliminate, inform, reduce, restrict, increase, achieve, gain or produce. Examples: Develop a wider perspective on the Institution and it’s mission. Enhance Power Point skills Develop techniques to raise self esteem/confidence Try to ensure that your mentoring goal(s) meet the following criteria: ACTION SPECIFIC Your objective should include a specific action you will take IMPORTANT It should be important to you and your professional growth MEASURABLE Measures help define successful achievement. Think of measures in terms of quality, quantity, costs or timelines. INSPIRING Do you feel inspired by this objective? If not, consider why not. You may want to refine it or even develop another objective. DOABLE Your objective must be challenging but doable. If you have doubts, re-work it until it is doable. 6

Statement of Objectives Worksheet Using your desired mentoring topic (on page 4) together with the specific skills that you listed (on page 5), write an effective objective statement that sets out a clearly defined and achievable goal. Example: Obtain guidance about career steps for a junior scientist juggling work/family responsibilities Example: Develop presentation skills and interact with my audience to gain feedback and evaluative information _____________________________________________ 7

Mentoring Action Plan Example l Record your final mentoring objective statement here. Ensure it is action specific, important to you, measurable, inspiring and doable. Example: Develop lab equipment sterilization skills and receive feedback from peers. When you achieve this objective, what will your reward be and how will you benefit? Example: Increased job satisfaction, increased credibility with peers, increased possibility to get promoted from lab assistant to lab technician Consequences if not achieved: If you do not achieve it, what will the consequences be? Example: Lab prep skills remain unreliable, less exposure to areas and skills that enhance my knowledge, less chance of career advancement 8

Obstacles: List anything that could prevent you from achieving your objective, and beside those things, action steps that you will take to overcome each obstacle. Example Obstacles Example Action Steps to Overcome 1. Fear 1. Ask for feedback from peers 2. Lack of knowledge 2. Work alongside other Part Time Helper to observe procedure 3. Lack of time 3. Schedule dedicated time each day (even if only 15 mins. ) to work on skills 4. Lack of training 4. Find an expert, read a manual, see your mentor 5. Sore hands from washing beakers 5. Get thicker rubber gloves, use hand cream 9

Progress Measures: How will you and/or your Mentor measure progress? By what date? Example: In the next six months, I will be able to completely prepare a scientific lab/bench for the researchers in my lab to be able to just walk into and begin work, and I will have feedback from my peers/supervisor/advisor confirming that I have achieved this. 10

Mentoring Action Plan 1. Record your final mentoring objective statement/goal here. Ensure it is action specific, important to you, measurable, inspiring and doable. 2. Rewards: when you achieve this objective, what will your reward be and how will you benefit? 3. Consequences if not achieved: If you do not achieve it, what will the consequences be? 11

4. Obstacles: List anything that could prevent you from achieving your objective, and beside those things, action steps that you will take to overcome each obstacle. Obstacles Action Steps to Overcome 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 12

Mentee Action Plan Progress Check Sheet Use this optional check sheet to track your progress at your mentor/mentee meetings, or for your own personal notes Check Progress Notes Consider what progress you have made toward your objective. 1. What have you done well in working toward your objective? 2. What haven’t you done well? Where is improvement needed? 3. List any revisions or mid-course corrections to your objectives. 4. Next steps: how will you measure progress between now and the end of the program? 5. Progress Measures. How will you and/or your Mentor measure progress? By what date? 13