An essential feature of effective mentoring is to set clear expectations from the beginning. We`ve created a sample mentoring agreement that you can use with your undergraduate researchers to make communication clearer and more effective. After making this document your own, you may want to go through this agreement with new undergraduate researchers at your first meeting. Clear articulation of these details at the beginning of a student`s research experience could result in a variety of benefits, including maintaining expensive equipment, avoiding misunderstandings, contributing to a student`s sense of belonging, increasing students` productivity and independence, and streamlining the research process. “The mentorship agreement template provided a solid foundation for preparing me and my undergraduate researcher for success. The template was easy to modify and allowed me and my mentee to include additional details as needed. We have pointed this out several times! – Dr. Barbara Brody, Extension Before entering into a mentor/mentee relationship, both parties should reach an agreement. This agreement sets out the objectives of a mentoring relationship and sets limits.
It helps not only to have a regular day and time for the mentoring session, but also to have a consistent format so that both parties know what to expect. Below is an example of an agenda to guide your time together. “The students really appreciate the mentorship agreement. Each student goes through the agreement with me during one of our first meetings and we adapt it to their own communication style, research project, etc.” – Dr. Michelle Kutzler, Animal & Rangeland Sciences This agreement defines the expectations and objectives as well as the specifics of the relationship. See our sample mentoring contract (PDF). The agreement should include contact information (including preferred methods and times), establish a meeting schedule, repeat the objectives and objectives of both parties, set dates for the review of progress and a date for termination. Once this is negotiated and completed, you are ready to start your mentoring partnership. These preparations can help minimize potential frustration.
Well, how can we deal with the other main challenge of maintaining that momentum and keeping the precious time? At the second official meeting, development goals are set. All subsequent meetings are subject to an established productive satisfaction criterion, including the review of development goals and the conduct of progress reviews. This aspect is the long-term substance of the mentoring process. The biggest challenge for your partnership is the time required. Keep in mind that this agreement is adopted in addition to your professional and personal schedule and that the mentoring partnership requires time, energy and work to ensure success. To balance these aspects, a close agreement as well as structured meetings can minimize the waste of time and energy. By joining the partnership, you have already guaranteed your commitment, so you simply need tools to implement it. This format is not prescriptive, and you can develop your own structure to address and advance your goals and priorities.
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