Joanne Kamens 3: Mentoring Best Practices

Mentors shape our careers by guiding us through difficult decisions. In this series, Dr. Joanne Kamens advocates for the use of Peer Mentoring Groups, explains how to create one, and reviews what are mentorship best practices.

In part 1, Kamens shows how Peer Mentoring Groups allow us to provide and receive valuable mentoring opportunities. While working towards a common goal, group mentorship allows for an organic development of valuable experiences and accountability for your personal growth as you create a circle of mentors that will help throughout your career.

How do you go about forming a Peer Mentoring Group? In her second video, Kamens explains the logistics of forming a Peer Mentoring Group. First, you need to find 5-6 peers that share a similar problem. As you prepare to meet, you need to set the ground rules and provide structure to your meetings (e.g., provide agenda, assign a leader per meeting, decide on topics of interest, and provide curricula). As Kamens explains, the commitment of the members is crucial for the success of the Peer Mentoring Group.

In her third talk, Kamens overviews what are mentorship best practices while running a Peer Mentorship Group. From setting concrete content and activities to set up goals, these best practices will allow you to create an environment that will help you get feedback and find opportunities to grow.

Speaker biography:

Credits:
Shannon Behrman (iBIology): Executive Producer
Alexandra Schnoes (iBiology): Producer
Quintin Marcelino (Addgene): Videographer
Eric Kornblum (iBiology): Assistant videographer
Rebecca Ellsworth (iBiology): Editor, Design & Graphics
Elie Maksoud (iBIology): Assistant Producer
Rosa Veguilla (iBiology): Assistant Producer

[drbethie]

This video is filled to the brim with useful advice. No fluff here; lots of solid content that can be quickly put to use. Nice job, Joanne. (And I would have expected nothing less!)

[weldmaster]

I just want to GFP everything, is that so much to ask?