Mentoring

What, why and who...

Icebreaker

Think back to a time when an adult singled you out for positive attention. Attention that moved you forward in your life, toward your goals, or even changed your life’s direction.

Take a couple of minutes to reflect and then turn to a partner and share your experiences

What is mentoring?

“ a confidential, supportive relationship which sees an

experienced member of staff helping a less experienced member of staff explore, clarify and achieve their

goals”

Experience

Why be a mentor?

The Mentor’s Story“I responded to the general call for mentors because I felt I had much to offer as result of my own somewhat protracted route to professional fulfilment. Mentoring in any form had been completely absent from the first twenty years of my own working life, as was the personal and professional development that it might have achieved.

In volunteering to act as a mentor, I hoped to help others avoid some of the disappointment and frustration that characterised my own early working life and, as far as possible, help them to make the very best of their skills and abilities, thereby realising their true potential.

As to the mentoring experience, I felt very privileged indeed that other UoE colleagues were happy to talk to me and share their experiences, workplace problems, anxieties and aspirations. In turn I shared with them, where appropriate, some of my own experiences from nearly 40 years in the workplace – what worked, what didn’t, what helped resolve specific difficulties and, indeed, what sometimes just had to be endured until something better turned up!”

Why be a mentee?

How has having a mentor benefitted you?

What does Mentoring Connections offer?

• Smart matching• Local support• Workshops, webinars, toolkit• 1-1 guidance • Evaluation

What do we need?

• Mentors with skills and experience to share

• Mentees who are engaged and will drive the relationship

• Awareness of your own skills, knowledge and experience– For learning & reflection– For matching

Next intake: Autumn 2015 – New application form September 2015

Contact us: mentoring@ed.ac.uk