Mentoring and Being Mentored Introductory remarks

On the next page, you'll be introduced to a smattering of resources relevant to the topic of Mentoring and Being Mentored. But first, here are some initial remarks to help you to get situated.

Here are ten elements which tend to create a successful relationship between a mentor and a mentee in scientific settings:

Regular and effective communication
Aligned expectations
Individual personal integrity
Good "climate" and work environment
Support for a healthy work / life balance
Acknowledged community norms and ethical standards
Support for and cultivation of scientific literacy and understanding
Frequent assessment of scientific skills and techniques
Acceptance of professional disagreement and diversity
Fostered career-independence and promotion of professional development

People often have different expectations of one another, and of themselves—and it can require frequent, extensive, frank, and honest communication in order to align these expectations. So, one typical source of mentor / mentee relationship breakdown is misaligned expectations which never get correctively aligned via open and effective communication.