MENTOR/MENTEE VISITS

Topics for discussion at Mentor/Mentee visit:

As a mentor of HTI you have chosen to play a potentially significant role for a doctoral student. It is important to recognize that each mentee/mentor relationship is unique and that one of the primary goals of the mentor is to assist the mentee in becoming confident and familiar with the professional/academic world and how it relates to the mentee’s educational goals.


Detailed below, in a quick reference format, are suggested topics for your mentee contact/visit:

    • Show your mentee that success is possible without having to abandon cultural identity.

    • Share with your mentee how you managed to struggle through the educational system.

    • Share with your student how you dealt with prejudice and/or discrimination.

    • How did you cope with “negative voices”; especially from well meaning family members?

    • What is your mentee’s study schedule? Are there changes you would recommend?

    • Focus on getting your mentee to set short term and long range goals.

    • What books and authors would you recommend that the mentee has overlooked or needs to read?

    • Find out the mentee’s class schedule. Do they work part time? How did you handle school and work?

    • Share how you balance family responsibilities and career.

    • Send notes of encouragement or a phone call, e-mail or e-card of support before an exam.

    • Invite your mentee to professional conferences and career related activities.

    • Refer your mentee, as appropriate, to fellow colleagues or professionals.

 

Often asked questions:

    • How do I determine what courses I should take?

    • Why do I want to engage in scholarly work (research, teaching or just for the fun of it)?

    • Is my family in agreement with any move that the decision entails?

    • How do I begin preparing for my comprehensives?

    • How do I choose an advisor--what criteria do I go by?

    • When do I begin thinking about my dissertation?

    • What kinds of (free) resources might seminaries and universities provide to further the quality of our studies, research, teaching skills?

    • What are helpful study skills?

    • What kinds of things are "negotiable" in preparing for course work/dissertation work?

    • What are helpful survival ideas when you are the only Latina/o in the whole program? or when you have a family?

    • How might I begin the process of networking?