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STUDENT AND EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONAL UPDATE
Finding and Maintaining an Effective Mentorship

Larry Collins, Washington State University–Pullman, are busy people like you. If you do not hear back from them, give
GSA Student Advisory Committee Member them a polite nudge (follow-up email) to check in with them. It is
easy for mentors to miss an email. Communicate early and often.
A good mentoring relationship can have a lasting impact on a Communication is critical for a strong relationship with a mentor.
student’s academic and career success. Mentors can help you be Other tips for a strong mentoring relationship include making
more productive in research, publishing, and completing your sure your mentor is aware of your goals and objectives for each
undergraduate or graduate tenure. They can also introduce you to meeting and for your overall career trajectory. Be approachable,
their network and point out opportunities that can help you find ask questions, and share your own experiences. Set expectations
successful career placement. of what you hope to gain through the mentorship and be prepared
Mentors can play several roles, including as the chair of your when you meet. Have questions and any materials you might dis-
graduate committee, a co-author of your presentation or publica- cuss handy (for example, your résumé, publications, and research
tion, a counselor from your university career center, or an advisor outcomes). Update your mentor on your progress and have them
who offers course suggestions. A mentor is anyone who can offer observe your presentations and read your articles or school work.
you support—academic and/or emotional. Ask your mentor about their goals, and try to observe your mentor
A mentor should lobby for you, share knowledge with you, hold in their career (teaching, presentations, and publications) as well.
you accountable so that you strive to be better, offer guidance on As with any relationship, you may find your mentor/mentee
your professional goals when you need it, serve as a role model, relationship is not beneficial. This might be because your mentor
and offer much-needed emotional support when things are not no longer has the time to devote to mentoring you, you may feel
falling into place as you had hoped. One mentor may not meet all that you are no longer compatible, you are not being heard, or
your needs, and you may find you rely on several individuals to because you are not making progress. If this is the case, try to
inspire you to navigate necessary resources to help you reach your identify the issue and address it with your mentor in a professional
goals. The mentor or mentors you select should help to ensure that manner. If that doesn’t work, it may be a good decision to talk to a
you graduate and are properly trained for the workforce. trusted committee member or colleague about the situation. It is
Your academic mentors should prepare you to reach your goals acceptable to move on to a different mentor if you cannot recon-
through a series of confidential, one-on-one conversations that cile differences. If you think you are in an unsafe situation, never
generally have both a start and end date. If both you and your feel like you have to stay in the relationship; end the mentorship
mentor continue to benefit from your mentorship, then you con- right away and seek assistance from your university if you feel
tinue your discussions. Your mentor should challenge and support ethical or professional standards were violated.
you, not judge you. You should collaborate with your mentor to The Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual and Section
help you identify solutions for any problems you may encounter. Meetings are great places to look for mentors who can help you
It takes time to build and maintain a productive relationship, so navigate the job market. GSA has operated a variety of formal
your mentor should have time to meet with you on a regular basis. and informal mentoring programs since 1996. Networking events,
That said, be aware that your mentors have other commitments, panel discussions, and webinars all expose you to a variety of
and they are volunteers. You should meet regularly, while also careers in the geosciences and mentors who work in those jobs.
accommodating their schedule and providing them with lots of The upcoming GSA 2020 Connects Online meeting will offer
potential meeting times. GeoCareers programming in different employment sectors,
As you progress through your career and your needs change, including spotlights on industry, government, academia, and
so too should your mentors. To find a mentor, you should define non-traditional careers. View the program at https://community
your goals and needs, and then do your research to ensure you find .geosociety.org/gsa2020/ connect/student-ecp/geocareers.
someone who can help you reach those goals. Make sure you reach GSA meetings can also give you the opportunity to meet pro-
out to your current network for suggestions; some of the best men- spective advisors. You may consider attending their talk or a talk
tors I have had are people I met through my network. Talking to that one of their current students is giving. Consider introducing
your current teachers or professors is also helpful. They may have yourself via email and sharing your common interests. If they are
a colleague or friend who would be a great fit for you. Once you not a good fit for you, they may also suggest other people for you
find a potential mentor, reach out to that person via email, and be to meet and talk with.
sure to have an idea of what your ideal mentor relationship would Finally, GSA is excited to announce the launch of a new online
look like. Share your intentions and desire for help and set up your mentoring program partnership with Mentoring365 (see page 23).
first meeting. In that meeting, discuss your goals, what you need Consider taking advantage of this new member benefit and
help with, and set up a schedule for when you and your mentor creating your mentee profile. You will be able to search a listing
will meet. If it is a mentor for graduate school, you could begin by of mentors from a variety of partner geoscience organizations
sharing what knowledge/expertise you already have in a given and start your three month online mentorship. Visit https://
area and how you think working with them will help you expand mentoring365.chronus.com/p/p1/membership_requests/new
that knowledge. It is also important to recognize that your mentors to sign up.

22 GSA Today | September 2020