Mentoring
What Is MentorIng?
A mentoring relationship is a “reciprocal, dynamic relationship” (McGee & Keller, 2007, p. 316). It is a working alliance in which individuals, work together over time to support the personal and professional [career and academic] growth, development, and success of the relational partner through the provision of career, [academic], and psychosocial support: (NASEM, 2019, p. 37).
Why mentoring in STEM?
National reports have highlighted the continuing disparity in participation and representation of women and ethnically and racially diverse populations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees and careers. The disparity in engagement in STEM is a matter not only of equity, but also the representation of a potential talent pool that, no doubt, greatly impacts the creativity and success of our society as a whole.
Many women and ethnically and racially diverse individuals cite mentorship , both internal and external to a research lab setting, as central to their persistence and success in STEM. Often the main focus of mentoring relationships in a research lab is academic and professional, leaving the psychosocial and personal issues that also inhibit persistence unaddressed. Therefore, peer mentoring external to the lab relationship is especially well suited to address psychosocial and personal issues, such as self-efficacy.
Engaging in a STEM mentoring relationship, especial with a peer, in addition to research lab mentoring, can promote self-efficacy, competencies needed to be successful in STEM, a STEM identity, and ultimately, persistence.
Virtual or e-Mentoring, mentoring using technology or digitally mediated spaces independent of time and location (Kumar & Coe, 2017), provides the flexibility and convenience to individuals, especially women, who have busy schedules and other responsibilities that would otherwise inhibit their participation in mentoring. Virtual mentoring also provides mentoring opportunities for the increasing numbers of online students in STEM programs.
The eSTEMequity Peer Mentoring Training
Mentoring training is vital to the development of competencies necessary for a productive mentoring relationship.
This eSTEMequity Peer Mentoring Training was designed for women and ethnic and racial minority individuals participating in STEM degree programs at any University. The training promotes the development of STEM community; STEM self-efficacy; STEM identity; and cultural, relational, and mentoring competencies. The training can be used by anyone seeking to be a peer mentor or mentee.
The content of the eSTEMequity Peer Mentoring Training is meant to compliment and was developed in 2018-2019 in conjunction with the co-edited book, Navigating the Peer Mentoring Relationship: A Handbook for Women and other Underrepresented Populations in STEM. Previous and modified versions of this virtual training program have been implemented, and researchers are establishing the efficacy of the training. The program is currently being implemented as part of two separate grant projects across various universities.
Click the buttons below to access the training modules.
All training content was developed in conjunction with and was adapted from Navigating the Peer Mentoring Relationship: A Handbook for Women and other Underrepresented Populations in STEM. Content and images are © 2020. Rockinson-Szapkiw, Wendt, & Wade-Jaimes. All rights reserved. The development of this training has been supported, in part, through a series of grants, both private and federal.
A Peer Leadership Mentor Training
Training modules are being developed for senior faculty seeking to mentor mid-career faculty.