Administrative Services: Mentoring Program

The MIT Libraries' mentoring program will launch on a trial basis in the 2017-2018 academic year.  The program provides Libraries staff a framework in which to support and learn from one another.  Its goals are:

• Supporting staff in career or educational decisions
• Increasing employees' sense of connection to the Libraries
• Advising staff on work-life issues

Any member of the staff may request a mentor through this program; any staff member who has worked in the Libraries for at least a year is eligible to serve as a mentor.

At present, mentoring relationships will center on one or more of these topics:

1. Career planning
2. Pursuit of an advanced degree or professional certification
3. New to MIT/academia
4. MIT Libraries organizational culture
5. Job search
6. Work/life issues

Be sure you have read and are comfortable with the program expectations, and have discussed your plans with your supervisor as appropriate.  Then:

Request a mentor here

Volunteer to serve as a mentor here

Deadline: August 28
Questions?  Contact Nina Davis-Millis, ninadm@mit.edu.

Both parties are responsible for:

• Completing a brief pre- and post-survey
• Committing to meet twice during the first month, and at least once a month thereafter for the agreed duration
• Maintaining confidentiality / privacy
• Informing their supervisors of their intention to participate before signing up
• Having an honest conversation about goals and desired outcomes at the start of the relationship
• Being realistic about setting timelines (6-12 months)
• Conducting all meetings during work hours, unless by mutual consent
• Making time for meetings and for any follow-up agreed on between meetings
• Contributing to program assessment

Mentees are responsible for:

• Scheduling meetings

Mentors are responsible for:

• Referring questions or concerns beyond their expertise.  This includes but is not limited to legal or medical issues.

Director of Staff Development is responsible for:

• Coordinating the program
• In conjunction with HR Admin, matching mentor/mentee pairs
• Training new mentors
• Maintaining a referral list of Institute resources
• Addressing any problems that may come up
• Performing assessment of the program's success via feedback from mentors and mentees