Mentor Guidelines

Mentor Guidelines

“A mentor has been described as a wise and faithful, guide and counselor.”

Purpose

The CLS mentoring program is designed to improve the student’s educational experience and to enhance the college’s connections with the business community. The program allows for students to meet one-on-one with local practitioners for professional and personal guidance. You can offer your student an enhanced educational experience through your encouragement, support and the benefit of your experience. You can also serve as a resource and take an active role in shaping a future alumnus of the Clinical Laboratory Science program at Wayne State University.

Mentor Eligibility

To be eligible as a mentor, you must have at least three years of practitioner experience and be local to the university which allows you and your student a chance to meet at least once a month throughout the program to help the student achieve his/her goals.

Expectations

Students will expect to work with a mentor who will commit to regular contact with them and who will be willing to share valuable expertise and career information. There is NO expectation that internships or employment opportunities will result from the relationship. We ask that you:

• Understand the WSU CLS program, its goals and objectives.
• Expect the student to initiate regular contact with you via phone, email and/or meetings, to be proactive and willing to meet you at least once a month, and to see the relationship through to its official end.
• Discuss with the student his/her goals and needs and how to achieve them.
• Complete program evaluations.
• Immediately notify the CLS Program Director (Carol Watkins at 313057701384 or cwatkins@wayne.edu) if circumstances require you to stop participation in the mentorship program; you have difficulty reaching your student; your student is not fulfilling his/her responsibilities; your contact information changes; or there are other concerns.

Responsibilities

You do not have to fulfill every possible function of a mentor to be effective, but let your protégé know you are willing to help and ask what kind of information or support you can give that would be helpful. In order to be effective:

• Clarify expectations about how much time and guidance you are prepared to offer.
• Let your protégé know if he/she is asking for too much or too little of your time.
• Give constructive criticism as well as praise when warranted, Provide specific suggestions for improvement.
• Where appropriate, promote your protégé’s accomplishments to others in your department and institution, as well as at conferences and other meetings.
• Include your protégé in professional activities whenever possible.
• Teach protégés how to seek other career help.
• Be willing to provide support for people different from yourself. Avoid the temptation to assist only those whoa re most similar to you.
• Listen to the needs and expectations of your student.
• Work with the student to help him/her develop and establish realistic and obtainable goals.
• Be committed to serve as a resource to the student.
• Encourage your student to explore new areas.
• Follow up on commitments made to the student.
• Contact your student if you are unable to attend scheduled meetings.

Making a Match

Matches are based on the student’s stated interest in your area of expertise.

Contact Information:

Carol Watkins
CLS Program Director
Wayne State University
(313) 577-5516
(313)577-5497 FAX
cwatkins@wayne.edu