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Mentoring – A Key Role of the Scientist
Author(s) -
Draughon F. Ann
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.198.2
Subject(s) - scholarship , socialization , face (sociological concept) , psychology , grantsmanship , medical education , politics , engineering ethics , public relations , sociology , political science , medicine , social psychology , higher education , engineering , social science , law
A mentor is someone who has been successful in dealing with the challenges that trainees face and who has the desire and willingness to help another person develop into a successful professional. Helping a trainee to develop scholarship, knowledge and skills in the research laboratory, grantsmanship and success in academic programs is only the first step in helping them to become a successful scientist. The mentor also fills a crucial role in socialization of the developing scientist by sharing and demonstrating their core beliefs, behavior patterns and work ethic. They should be an advocate for their mentee, an advisor, a role model, a coach, a wise friend, a promoter and a reality check in navigating the sometimes murky waters of norms, standards and politics of their profession. Ideally, this relationship is one that is enduring and rewarding to both mentor and mentee throughout their professional lives and provides deep personal satisfaction for both.