Definition of Mentoring

Mentoring is a developmental partnership through which one person shares knowledge, skills, information and perspective to foster the personal and professional growth of someone else. We all have a need for insight that is outside of our normal life and educational experience. The power of mentoring is that it creates a one-of-a-kind opportunity for collaboration, goal achievement and problem-solving.

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” John C. Crosby

What is a mentor?

A mentor facilitates personal and professional growth in an individual by sharing the knowledge and insights that have been learned through the years.
(DOT Mentoring Handbook, p2 http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/mentor/mentorhb.htm)

Teacher–share your knowledge and experience as a former USC student.
Problem solver–refer mentees to resources and offer options.
Motivator–when mentee is facing a challenging class, for example:This is done through encouragement, support, and incentives.
Coach–help mentee to overcome performance difficulties through positive feedback (reinforce behavior) and constructive feedback (change behavior).
Guide–help mentee to set realistic goals. Five goal setting factors: specific, time-framed, results oriented, relevant, and reachable. “If you don’t know where you are going, you won’t know how to get there.”

What is a mentee?

A mentee is an achiever–”groomed” for advancement by being provided opportunities to excel beyond the limits of his or her position.
(DOT Mentoring Handbook, p3 http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/mentor/mentorhb.htm)
Learner–a strong desire to learn new skills and abilities
Decision maker–take charge of your education
Initiator–mentee is willing to explore challenges on their own initiative.
Risk taker–“If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate,” quote by Thomas Watson, Sr., founder of IBM.
Goal setter–if you know where you are going, people are willing to help guide you.