Mentoring Program Guidelines

SUT-US Mentoring Program Guidelines  
A mentoring relationship is meant to provide a safe, responsible environment for mentors and mentees to share information.  SUT-US’ goal in creating a mentoring program is to connect Students with Young Professionals (YP) and/or Experienced Professionals (EP) and Young Professionals with Experienced Professionals who have a range of experience and knowledge.
 
Below are the expectations of all mentoring program participants:
 
General Expectations

• All interactions are expected to be respectful and professional in nature.
• All participants must abide by SUT-US’ Anti-Harassment Policy located at http://sut-us.org/About-Us/Statement-on-Discrimination-and-Sexual-Harassment.
• In-person interactions should occur in a public or professional space.
• To ensure a high standard of professionalism, the presence of alcohol is strongly discouraged during the mentoring interactions - regardless of the age of the participants.
• The mentor-mentee relationship is purely voluntary, and any participant can choose to exit the program for any reason. Requests to exit the program early should be directed to the Mentoring Committee at mentoring@sut-us.org. Furthermore, anyone that chooses to exit the program due to concerns of discrimination, harassment, or safety is also urged to share their concerns with the SUT-US Executive Chair or any other member of the SUT-US Executive Board (http://sut-us.org/Committees/SUT-Houston-Branch-Executive-Committee/Current-Members) without fear of retaliation.
• If a planned meeting needs to be rescheduled, both parties should endeavor to do so in a timely manner.

 Expectations of Mentors

• Mentors should establish a time to meet with their mentee within one week of assignment. This initial meeting can occur via phone, email, videoconference, or in person. The schedule and venue for subsequent meetings should be mutually agreed. For the health and safety of all participants, any in-person meetings should be in accordance with local government regulations and CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 and/or other public health concerns.
• Mentors should provide realistic, productive, timely, and professional feedback and assistance to mentees.
• Some typical topics for mentors to discuss with mentees are:
  • Professional experience
  • Industry trends
  • Goal setting and achievement plans
  • Suggestions for additional education or development
  • Tips for successful networking
  • Tips for successful job interviews
  • Resume review
• Although not a requirement, mentors can choose to provide to mentees additional assistance and/or introductions to colleagues/other industry professionals if deemed helpful.

Expectations of Mentees

• Mentees should work with their assigned mentor to establish a time to meet within one week of assignment.  This initial meeting can occur via phone, email, videoconference, or in person.  The schedule and venue for subsequent meetings should be mutually agreed.  For the health and safety of all participants, any in-person meetings should be in accordance with local government regulations and CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 and/or other public health concerns.
• Mentees should ask only for realistic and professional advice, feedback, and assistance from mentors.  The relationship is not meant to be utilized to seek employment with the mentors’ organizations or to seek free services for which the mentors may otherwise typically charge a fee.
• Although not required of mentors, if a mentee is interested in introductions to specific scientists or individuals, the mentee can discuss the feasibility of such introduction with the mentor.

Timing

• Mentor-mentee relationships are a commitment of 6 months per cycle.
• At the end of a cycle, mentors and mentees wishing to continue the relationship may do so if both are in agreement and no other mentee is seeking to be paired with that mentor.  Program administrators will confirm the pairing within 10 business days after receiving the mentee application/request to continue.

Mentors Application

Mentees Application

If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact us at mentoring@sut-us.org for further information.