Prerequisites

For mentees, a pronounced willingness to develop and a positive understanding of one's own role are decisive prerequisites for establishing a successful mentoring partnership.

Mentoring in Practice

• At the outset, clarify your expectations and goals and adjust them to your mentor's or peers' expectations and support options. This helps to create transparency while avoiding unnecessary frustration.

• Make clear arrangements with regard to frequency, duration and form of contact as well as the confidentiality of the exchange, bearing in mind your and the mentor's limited time resources.

• Get actively involved in the development of a trusting relationship. Also include into your discussions potential problems and uncertainties.

• Prepare the meetings with your mentor or your peers carefully, agreeing in advance upon concrete topics that you would like to discuss.

• Use your mentor’s or your peers’ experience and knowledge. Explicitly ask for feedback and advice, for instance on your achievements and competencies, your academic profile and further career planning.

• Respect other perspectives, positions and approaches. Reflect about them and use them to develop new options and strategies of action.

• Give concrete feedback to your mentor or your peers with regard to the results and the impact of your exchange. Explicitly communicate your appreciation and gratitude for the support. By doing this, you increase motivation and consolidate your mentoring partnership.