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CLEAR

Mentoring

'Learning the ropes' from an experienced colleague can be a great help as you settle into a new academic teaching role, particularly if you are new to university teaching in Australia. However, forming such a supportive relationship in a large institution is not always straightforward or easy.

What is a mentor?

A mentor is a peer who has the experience, time and motivation to offer support and guidance to a less experienced colleague. A mentoring relationship is based on mutual trust and goodwill and involves no management or supervisory responsibility or obligation.

How can a mentor help?

A mentor can be a 'critical friend' outside the management structure who is able to provide guidance and insight into how things are done in your Faculty. He or she may also be willing to offer specific professional advice and even to observe and appraise a particular aspect of your teaching which you nominate eg. your presentation skills, use of audio visual equipment, clarity and delivery or teaching style. Your mentor may be able to help you find resources to improve your skills as a university teacher or he or she may just be a friendly and impartial ear to help clarify particular issues or concerns as they arise. How a mentor and mentee work together is entirely up the individuals involved.

Finding a mentor with CLEAR

The CLEAR project can assist you to find a professional mentor within your Faculty who has already registered interest in offering this kind of peer support. To learn more about the CLEAR Mentor assistance process and to explain the kind of support you would like, please contact Anne Taib

Further Monash Mentoring Resources

A formal mentoring scheme known as the University-Wide Mentoring Scheme for Women is available through the Equity and Diversity Centre as part of the Women’s Leadership and Advancement Scheme every two years. Individual 'mentees' are matched with more senior staff with whom they can meet regularly for a period of nine months. Networking activities are included in the scheme. To learn more about this initiative, email Barbara.dalton@adm.monash.edu.au.

A Guide for Mentees and Mentors published by the Equity and Diversity Centre contains valuable advice for any staff member (including postgraduate students) considering a mentoring or mentee role.

Readings on Mentoring

Barton, K. (2002) 'Will you mentor me?' Training and Development, Vol. 56 Issue 5 pp. 90-94.

Blake-Beard, S. D. (2001) Taking a hard look at formal mentoring programs: a consideration of potential challenges facing women. Journal of Management Development, 20 (4) pp 331-345.

Carruthers, J. (1993) "The Principles and Practice of Mentoring" in The Return of the Mentor: Strategies for Workplace Learning, eds BJ Caldwell and E. Carter, Falmer, London.

Catalyst. (1993). Mentoring: A Guide to Corporate Programs and Practices. Catalyst, New York, NY.

Cullen, D & Luna, G. (1993) Women mentoring in academe: addressing the gender gap in further education. Gender and Education, 5(2), pp. 125-137.

Harnish, D. & Wild, L. A. (1994). Mentoring strategies for faculty development. Studies in Higher Education, 19(2) pp. 191-201.

Lomas, L and Kinchin, I. (2006) Developing a Peer Observation Program with University Teachers, International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Vol 18, Number 3, pp. 204-214

National Staff Development Committee. (1996) A Guide to Mentoring. The Australian National Training Authority. Melbourne, Victoria.

Quinlan, K. M. (1999) Enhancing mentoring and networking of junior academic women: what, why and how? Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 21 (1), pp 31-42.

Ragins, B. R. & Cotton, J. L. (1996) Jumping the hurdles: barriers to mentoring for women in organisations. Leadership & Organisation Development Journal, 17(3), pp 37-41.

Redfern, J. (2004) 'Career mentor: professional guidance can help you take your career forward', Nursing Standard, Vol 18 Issue 35, p 96.

Whiting V R & de Janasz, S. C. (2004) 'Mentoring in the 21st century: Using the internet to build skills and networks', Journal of Management Education, Vol. 28 No.3 pp. 275-293.