{"id":7375,"date":"2018-02-15T03:17:22","date_gmt":"2018-02-15T09:17:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/fctl\/?p=7375"},"modified":"2022-08-19T21:37:21","modified_gmt":"2022-08-19T21:37:21","slug":"what-is-a-mentor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/2018\/02\/15\/what-is-a-mentor\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Mentor?"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Dr. Rodney E Rohde<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recently, I had the privilege of contributing an invited article for ASCLS Today (my professional organization) regarding mentoring. Mentoring occurs on so many levels, with so many different relationships. I have had the honor of being the recipient of informal and formal mentoring. I serve as a formal mentor in the ASCLS Mentoring Program, as well as with the Texas State Bobcat Bond<\/a>, \u00a0H-LSAMP<\/a> and Faculty Excellence<\/a> mentoring programs. The following article is my take on mentoring (published in ASCLS Today<\/i><\/a>, September 2015 Volume XXIX, Number 8).<\/p>\n

What is a mentor? Are there ways to establish a true mentor-mentee relationship? One can go to the research literature on this topic to define and answer these types of questions. When I was given the opportunity to address this subject for our national newsletter, ASCLS Today<\/i>, my plan was to do just that \u2013 review multiple resources to unpack this subject. However, as I started, I realized, \u201cwhy don\u2019t I just tell my story instead?\u201d It\u2019s really how I work in regards to mentoring. It\u2019s always been about the relationships I build with people \u2013 my students, my family, colleagues, and friends.<\/p>\n

Recently I\u2019ve been fortunate to become an invited contributing writer for Elsevier Connect<\/a>. While I will always be a scientist who attempts to utilize the traditional avenues for dissemination of research like journals and professional meetings, Elsevier Connect has allowed me to become a more translational author for a wider audience. In this regard, I\u2019ve had the opportunity to write articles about our profession<\/a> and about subject matter expert areas like healthcare-associated infections<\/a> that have been well received around the globe. As I\u2019ve written about different topics, it gave me the opportunity to begin reflecting on areas that have always come natural to me. For instance, graduate school secrets and tips<\/a> or being successful in college from the perspective of a dad and professor<\/a>. When I talk to those who have commented on these stories, there is always a common theme \u2013 simplicity. So, how does this relate to mentoring? Well, to me, mentoring has always been natural and simple. I think becoming a father AND a professor, though, allowed mentoring to become more purposeful and directed in my life.<\/p>\n

When I ask current students, alumni, or colleagues and friends what makes me an effective mentor, the usual dominant themes are 1) a natural ability at building relationships, 2) an ability to listen and remember important things about an individual and, 3) modeling the behavior I am working to achieve in the mentee. Each of these traits, I believe, are what make any one of us an effective mentor and in many ways, a true friend, an effective leader, or a loyal team member.<\/p>\n

The first trait \u2013 building a relationship \u2013 is one of those things that seem simple to me. To me, in a true mentoring relationship the mentor should work to understand a person beyond just a superficial interaction. For instance, I have learned during my academic life that so many of my students come from a rich and diverse cultural background. I think I gain as much from them in building a relationship because each time I learn something about a culture it makes me an even more effective mentor for subsequent relationships. Likewise, I hope the mentee takes a true interest in learning about me \u2013 my professional goals, my family, my educational path and my hobbies. Like a friendship or parenting, this trait must be nurtured consistently and over time. It can\u2019t be just during a classroom interaction. I even work at these relationships with my pre-CLS<\/a>majors and alumni way beyond graduation.<\/p>\n

The second trait \u2013 listening and remembering \u2013 was not one of my strengths upon entering academia or fatherhood. My wife and her family who are early childhood educators with over 40 years of experience helped me to see the powerful value in this characteristic. The coursework during my PhD, which I did during my time as an assistant and associate professor, added to this understanding. Now, I work on this trait (and still struggle) in every relationship I build, including with my children. I don\u2019t always agree but I try to \u201clisten\u201d and understand their point of view. In doing this, I also work at remembering important and passionate points with my students and others. For instance, when I notice a particular student in a class that shows up at every CLS Student Society event, or one who steps up to be a leader when others do not, or one who takes the time to help a struggling underclassmen feel welcome in our program, I commit that to memory or keep it in a journal. Then, when it\u2019s time for that letter of recommendation for a scholarship, graduate school application, or job reference I am able to write powerful letters that often surprise those very students that I noticed and remembered these things. It\u2019s the most wonderful gift TO ME when I see them realize that I made that effort to listen, observe, and remember.<\/p>\n

The third trait \u2013 modeling behavior \u2013 is a combination of things I try to do with direction and purpose. I grew up in a household in which my parents never allowed us children to quit. Hard work (physical and mental) was the house rule! My dad used to tell me \u201cRodney, trust in God, always finish what you started, pay your bills, honor your family\/friends, and help those who need it. \u201c And, \u201cwork never killed anyone so outwork everyone.\u201d It\u2019s from those roots that I have evolved over my career. I\u2019ve never considered myself super smart but I will outwork you. It\u2019s in that vein that I try to emulate goal setting and achievement for my students, children, and others.<\/p>\n

I set the bar high and I\u2019ve yet to see where outworking others has failed. I work hard, and with a passion and purpose, to show my students (and others) opportunities that they can achieve with hard work. Whether it\u2019s a CDC Emerging Disease Fellowship, an internship, ASCLS or TACLS Student Forum Chair (or other leadership opportunities), competitive graduate school\/medical school acceptance, scholarships, or employment avenues, I constantly try to show my student\u2019s how to achieve those \u201chard to get\u201d goals. And, usually, with hard work, once a student see\u2019s how to go about doing it, there goals and achievements soar. I want our students and CLS program to set the example of \u201cdoing it the right way\u201d through hard work. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing someone who thought they couldn\u2019t get there or achieve a goal, then to get there and succeed. I am also a huge believer in using encouragement to build a positive environment, including the use of quotes\/mottos to build a mentality and brand in our program. My students get used to hearing and seeing these things daily.<\/p>\n

One of my favorite and personal quotes \u2013 <\/i><\/p>\n

Perseverance, persistence, passion, and prayer (the 4 P\u2019s) will keep you keeping on!<\/i><\/p>\n

In closing, we all need to consistently work to surround ourselves with mentors \u2013 those who challenge us (even when we may not believe in ourselves), those who will be our cheerleaders, and those who will listen and encourage us on our journey. It may not be just one person; mentors can change over your life. But, the important thing is to seek out those who will assist you in your life. Be alert for leaders, teachers, parents, clergy, colleagues and friends that can help you. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for mentoring help either \u2013 it\u2019s never too late. ASCLS, state CLS and other organizations are great places to start. I have found so many wonderful mentors here, home, my church, and elsewhere. I continue to be amazed at the breadth and depth of talent we have in ASCLS. Good luck and don\u2019t be afraid to introduce yourself soon! Look me up online<\/a> as well and follow me!<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Dr. Rodney E Rohde<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recently, I had the privilege of contributing an invited article for ASCLS Today (my professional organization) regarding mentoring. Mentoring occurs on so many levels, with so many different relationships. I have had the honor of being the recipient of informal and formal mentoring.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":7376,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[146],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-written-by-faculty"],"acf":{"carousel_content":false},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7375"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7375\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}