Mentoring vs Supervising Sue Piper Duckles Ph D

Mentoring vs. Supervising • Sue Piper Duckles, Ph. D. – Dept. of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine

What is a mentor? • From time of the Greeks: Described by Homer : “Wise and trusted counselor”. • Left in charge of the household while Odysseus went on his travels. • Today: Someone who takes a special interest in helping another person develop into a successful professional.

What is a mentor? • A good mentor seeks to help optimize an educational experience, assist socialization into a disciplinary culture, and aid in finding the next position. • Graduate training as an apprenticeship: passing on all skills necessary for success. • We can use our own experience as a guide as we mentor others. Remember both the good and the bad.

Mentor vs. Supervisor • A mentor works to help develop someone’s career. Nurturing. May or may not supervise. • A supervisor is responsible for ensuring that someone does their job. May or may not be a mentor.

Resource about mentoring: • Adviser, Teacher, Role Model, Friend: On being a mentor to students in Science and Engineering National Academy of Sciences, 1997 http: //books. nap. edu/html/mentor/

Why be a good mentor? • • Achieve satisfaction. Attract good students. Stay on top of your field. Develop your professional network. Extend your contribution. Strengthen your department and institution. Gain strong colleagues.

Advice for New Mentors • • • Listen patiently. Build a relationship. Don’t abuse your authority. Nurture self-sufficiency Share yourself. Provide introductions. Be constructive: Give positive feedback. Don’t be overbearing: Avoid dictating choices. Find your own mentors.

Building Respect • • Take students seriously Don’t dictate answers Be frank and direct Help develop self-esteem Invite other mentors Address fears without belittling Meet on “neutral ground”

Mentoring is Not Exclusive • Different mentors may bring different knowledge – Expertise in research area – Knowledge of the Institution/Company – Knowledge of the national scene: Connections – Familiarity with individual issues: Women/Ethnicity/Childrearing • Encourage multiple mentors.

Can a mentor really be a friend? • “Advisor, Teacher, Role Model, Friend” • Power differential cannot be ignored – Graduate student: Thesis advisor – Postdoctoral Fellow: Supervisor – Laboratory Staff: Supervisor • You can never be simply a friend. • But, personal relationship is what makes a mentor effective; share your own experience.

Advisor, Teacher, Role Model, Friend • Mentoring is not static, nor the same in all situations. • Each mentee is different and has different needs. • Needs will change with time. • Mentor needs to vary degree and type of attention, help, advice, information and encouragement.

Mentoring vs. Supervising • This is a continuum, not an absolute difference. • In any interaction with a power differential, you can never be just a friend. You must avoid taking advantage or being too close and losing perspective or compromising your responsibility for supervising. • When you are close to the age of those you supervise or even younger, you may have to keep more distance in order to maintain your authority.

Mentor as a Role Model • Be a model through both word and action. • Discuss with students features and satisfactions of your own position. Be frank about advantages and drawbacks. • Communicate importance of good mentoring to future generations.