Checklist for Mentees to “Manage Up”

Getting ready

• Clarify your values
• Identify your work style and habits
• Identify knowledge and skill gaps
  • Personal
  • Professional development
  • Skill development
  • Academic guidance
  • Research
• List specific opportunities sought — e.g. grant writing, presentation
• Write down goals: 3 months, 1 year, 5 year

Finding a mentor… or two

• Meet with people you know
• Get recommendations
• Ask people you meet with who else they recommend
• Be persistent
• Find multiple mentors, both junior and senior people

Things to look for in a mentor

• Is available  and accessible
• Provides opportunities and encourages mentee to take risks
• Helps mentee develop own agenda
• Is someone you see as a role model

The first meeting

• Tell your mentor how he or she has already helped you
• Share your background, values, and needs
• Send a thank-you note after the meeting

Cultivating the mentor–mentee relationship

• Agree on structure and objectives of relationship
• Plan and set the meeting agendas
• Ask questions
• Actively listen
• Follow through on assigned tasks
• Ask for feedback
• Manage up
  • Set goals and expectations
  • Be responsive  and flexible
  • Direct the flow of information
  • Follow a regular meeting schedule with agenda

Separation

• Talk about when the relationship should end
• Talk with your mentor about next steps
• Talk about future mentors

From:  Zerzan JT et al.  Acad Med 2009;84:140-144.