Orientation to Mentoring VCU Graduate School Mentorship Program

1
Orientation to Mentoring VCU Graduate School
Mentorship Program

• Jennifer J. Smith-Slabaugh Allyson Roberts
• Virginia Mentoring Partnership
• Richmond, Virginia
• [phone]

2
Orientation Objectives

• To become familiar with what it means to be an
  effective mentor
• To discuss the expectations for both mentors and
  mentees
• To learn and practice effective communication
  skills
• To explore activities to engage in and limits to
  set within the mentoring relationship

3
Icebreaker

• Think about a person
• in your life who meant or still means a
• great deal to you, and how he/she has helped you
  become who you are today.

4
Mentoring Works!

• Existing research indicates that effective
  mentoring can create more positive outcomes for
  youth young adults1.
• Young people with mentors are more likely to
• Succeed in School
• Achieve Better Grades
• Have good relationships with peers and families
• Be engaged in community life
• And less likely to
• Abuse drugs or alcohol
• Engage in violent or criminal behavior
• 1Academy for Educational Development, Child
  Trends, National Research Council and The Search
  Institute

5
Mentoring Benefits!

• National Connecticut studies2 reveal mentors
  
• Improve their morale
• Experience greater job satisfaction
• Feel better about themselves
• Learn more about themselves
• Improve their own values and belief systems
• Increase their own sense of responsibility
• Accept more challenges at home and work
• 2 Connecticut Mentoring Partnership

6
Mentoring Basics

• A mentor is a person
• who provides support, counsel, friendship,
  reinforcement, and a constructive example.
• Mentors are good listeners, people who care,
  people who want to help bring out strengths in
  others that are already there.
• The mentoring partnership
• is an agreement between two people to share
  experiences
• and expertise, and to help with personal and
  professional growth.

From The National Mentoring Partnership
7
A Mentors Role

• A mentor is
• A guide
• A friend
• A listener
• A coach
• A responsive adult

• A mentor is not
• A savior
• A foster parent
• A therapist
• A parole officer
• A cool peer

From The National Mentoring Partnership How to
be a Great Mentor
8
Dos and Donts

• Do
• Honor your commitment
• Be positive
• Be yourself
• Have fun
• Dont
• Be negative
• Make promises you cant keep
• Tell your mentee what to do
• Pry into the students life

9
Mentor Requirements Benefits

• REQUIREMENTS
• Desire
• Time
• Individual career development plan
• BENEFITS
• Practice interpersonal management skills
• Pass on successes
• Gain new perspectives

10
Mentee Requirements Benefits

• REQUIREMENTS
• Desire to learn
• Ability to accept feedback
• Willing to stretch
• Ability to identify goals
• BENEFITS
• A knowledgeable listener
• Valuable direction
• Doors opened
• Gain new perspectives

11
Societal Influences

• Family
• School
• Crime
• World Issues
• Sense of Community

• Neighborhood
• Economic Status
• Mass Media
• Advertising
• Safety Issues
• Culture

12
Stereotype

• A stereotype is a generalization about a group
  of people.
• Stereotypes usually stem from experiences,
  media portrayals, family and peer influences.

13
Effective Communication
It is better to remain quiet and be thought a
fool, than to speak and remove all
doubt. Mark Twain
14
Active Listening

• An active listener focuses on understanding the
  speakers point of view, instead of judging the
  message.
• Active listening requires CONCENTRATION, so the
  verbal and non-verbal message can be heard.

15
Active Listening Techniques

• Paraphrasing
• Door Opening
• Probing
• Perception Checking

16
I Statements

• You statements can be belittling and blaming.
  They put the responsibility for the situation on
  the other person.
• I statements let you express your feelings and
  thoughts directly, without accusing or blaming.

17
Levels of Communication

• Relationships involve many levels of
  communication from very superficial interaction
  to uncensored self disclosure.
• Mentors and mentees communicate at all levels.
  Be aware, however, that deep communication takes
  time to build.

18
Expectations

• Mentor Roleplays
• Mentee Roleplays

19
Suggested Mentoring Activities

• Helping with school work
• Visiting one anothers academic departments
• Networking
• Attending special events concerts, museums,
  sporting events
• Playing a sport (basketball, soccer, etc.)
• Assist with job/school search activities
  (preparing resumes, practice interviewing, etc)

20
STAR Problem Solving Technique

• Stop
• Think
• Anticipate
• Respond

21
What do you do whenProblem Solving and
Intervention Skills

• LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN
• Dont try and solve their problems. Instead,
  help them figure out what to do or how to feel
  about a situation.
• Dont be afraid of new situations. If you
  listen, you are effective.

22
Agreements

• Establish what you want to be called (first name,
  Mr./Mrs., etc.)
• Avoid getting drawn into problems that fall
  outside the scope of this program can assist in
  seeking resources
• Check with program policies before giving gifts
  of any kind
• Dont give up on the relationship if there is a
  bump along the way

23
Remember

• Check in with your Program Coordinator if any
  issues, concerns, or questions arise at any point
  throughout the program
• Keep relationship professional and confidential
• Weekly email check-in with Program Coordinator
• Refer to the VCU Graduate Schools Mentoring
  handbook on the VCU Graduate Schools website.
• Have FUN !!!

24
Lunch Activities

• Your VENN Diagram
• Hobbies, Favorites, Family Geographic History
• Discuss your expectations
• Discuss when you will meet and how often
• Choose a setting for your meetings
• Discuss when it is best to phone
• Agree to confidentiality

25
VMP SERVICES

• VMP offers technical assistance that assists
  mentoring program coordinators with all aspects
  of their mentoring program
• VMP has an extensive mentoring resource library
  housed within their offices in Richmond. Any
  program provider, mentor or other interested
  individuals are welcome to visit
• VMP offers a wide variety of training sessions
  for mentors and program providers
• Please contact VMP for additional information
• 804-828-1536
• vamentor_at_vcu.edu
• www.mentoring.org/virginia