Meeting with your mentee

Mentoring usually takes place through regular meetings with informal contact in between.

The onus is on the mentor and mentee to meet regularly, rather than the Department having to monitor this formally. This requires commitment to the process and outcomes from both parties.

It is helpful to keep a brief record of meetings, noting what has been discussed and agreed and the objectives for the next meeting

Meetings of mentor and mentee

Initial contact

Try to make friendly contact with your mentee before they take up post where that is possible - otherwise, on their first day of work.

First meeting of mentor and mentee

It will be helpful if you meets your mentee early in their first week to help them settle in and to act as an information resource. A timetabled induction programme and information pack may be provided by the department for the new lecturer.

First few weeks

Provide the mentee with the opportunity to meet peers and colleagues in the first few weeks, introducing them to relevant people and ensuring they become familiar with wider departmental and University life. Accompanying them to their first lunch clubs, HoD seminars, academic staff meetings, meetings of the Board of Studies etc is a useful way of ensuring mentees integrate into the department as quickly as possible.

Ensure that your mentee understands the often unspoken norms and values of the department as they may have come from places where different cultural norms prevail. Helping the mentee to understand how things operate within the department is an important factor in ensuring their integration into the department is successful.

Throughout the probationary period

Arrange to meet monthly in the first six months and encourage the mentee to discuss professional issues and any particular challenges/difficulties at these meetings. It may be helpful to work through an agenda of topics relevant to the individual such as grant applications, seminar techniques, supervision practices, establishing collaborations, managing a budget etc. Meetings are entirely confidential unless the permission of the mentee is gained for matters to be discussed with others.

Aim to arrange quarterly meetings after the first six months while also encouraging the mentee to instigate discussion or advice on an ad-hoc basis. As they become established, discussions will likely to change from short-term tasks to longer-term, strategic objective-setting. Encourage them to consider future research directions and teaching responsibilities.