MENTEE

See also...
Roles of the Mentor :: Roles of the Participant's Supervisor

Roles and Responsibilities

A mentee is motivated and interested in advancing his/her career and the program mission of their organization. A mentee is an achiever willing to take the initiative for his/her own development and make the most of available opportunities. The mentee’s responsibilities fall into four categories: taking initiative, assuming responsibility, networking, and communicating.

Taking Initiative

A mentoring process promotes career planning and job enrichment. A mentee must be willing and truly interested in enhancing his/her career and take the initial step in setting career goals.

Mentees should:

• work proactively with their mentors to assess their strengths and weaknesses and identify career goals,
• complete assignments to research options and gather feedback,
• develop a plan of action to achieve goals and improve job skills, and
• take the initiative to make things happen.

Assuming Responsibility

Who is responsible for your life and your career? You are–you must be willing to actively take the responsibility for setting career goals and developing a plan of action to achieve your goals.

Mentees should:

• fulfill official work assignments,
• maintain a personal momentum and professional enthusiasm,
• seek opportunities to experience new responsibilities relating to their job and career development plan, and
• take the lead responsibility for developing knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Networking

Networking is critical to getting information and identifying resources. Developing contacts within and outside an agency can prove to be very valuable.

Mentees are encouraged to:

• work with mentor to identify a list of key contacts,
• establish a network of contacts within and outside their organization to gain different perspectives, and
• be willing to share information in return.

Communication

Frequent, regular, face-to-face communication is critical to the success of the mentoring program. Both the mentee and mentor have a responsibility to create a trusting and committed mentoring relationship. By developing open lines of communication mentees can develop a constructive, trusting environment within which the objectives of the AFM mentoring program can be achieved.

Mentees are encouraged to:

• work with their mentors to establish a schedule of regular meetings with their mentors allowing sufficient time to ask questions and discuss issues openly,
• be willing to share information and ideas,
• continuously seek feedback in order to understand and clarify issues or questions, and
• listen nondefensively, expecting and accepting open and constructive ideas for change and how their actions/relationships affect others.

See also...
Roles of the Mentor :: Roles of the Participant's Supervisor

Program Manager
David L. Carter
USDA - ARS
5601 Sunnyside Avenue
Mail Stop 5108, Room 3-2161
Beltsville, MD 20705-5000
301 504-1007
dcarter@ars.usda.gov