SPH Mentor News Winter 2004

A newsletter for the School of Public Health (SPH) Mentor Program
Winter 2004 edition

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Greetings SPH Mentors and Students,

This is the first of two newsletters you will be receiving from the SPH Mentor Program for the 2004 – 2005 academic year.  The goal is to share tips and information about the program, goings on, and general mentor information.  If you have thoughts, ideas or anecdotes you would like to see included in our next edition, please send them in.

In this edition:

• Kick-off Event
• Grazie, Danke, Gracias
• Announcements
• Tips and Ideas

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Kick-Off Event

The 2004 School of Public Health Mentor Program held its official kick-off event on Friday, October 29, 2004 in the McNamara Alumni Center.  It was well attended—about 150 program participants came together to meet one another and discuss individual mentoring goals.

A special thank you goes out to Gabriel McNeal and Rosemond Owens, a SPH mentor-student pair from last year, for speaking at the kick-off.  They enthusiastically highlighted the benefits students and mentors can receive from the SPH Mentor Program while emphasizing personal responsibility.  They encouraged everyone to make a commitment to their mentor or student by investing in the relationship.  What helped their success?  For the most rewarding experience, keeping in regular contact with one another over the year and learning from one another is key. 

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Grazie, Danke, Gracias

This program could not exist without the generous support of our mentors.  Thank you mentors!  In donating your time, talents and expertise, you are offering a rich, unique experience to the SPH student you have been matched with.  You are the practical link between academia and experience in the field of public health.  We hope that your volunteerism—giving back to your professionally community—will have long-lasting and positive effects for you.  Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with a SPH student.

We would also like to thank our all-volunteer mentor matching committee:

• Kelly Beckwith
• Steve Broste
• Heather Day   
• Myron Falken
• Erica Fishman   
• Jayne Griffith
• Jessica Grossmeier
• Karen Kaphingst
• Joanne Moze
• Al Tsai 

Without their time, effort, and recommendations you would not be matched in a mentor pair.  They made the matching process run smoothly…and had fun!  Special thanks to Joan Patterson for matching each of the Maternal and Child Health students.

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Announcements

Save the date: the Mentor Connection Appreciation Reception is scheduled for April 6, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in the McNamara Alumni Center.  This reception is to celebrate your commitment and dedication throughout the semester to the SPH Mentor Program.  It is a time to enjoy the company of other mentors and students, share experiences, and talk about what worked and what did not.  (Not to mention free food).  Information on how to RSVP will be detailed in the next newsletter.

Mentors: we are planning a time for mentors to meet and talk about the SPH mentor program.  This is a time for new mentors to gain support from experienced mentors.  Bring your thoughts, concerns, and questions.  Stay tuned for the logistics.

Students: if you have not connected with your mentor in awhile, consider this newsletter a gentle reminder to do so.  Send your mentor an e-mail or give him or her a call.  The time you commit to your mentor relationship can benefit you now and in the future.

Several program participants have expressed an interest in receiving a list of mentor/student matches and a mentor contact list by company.  The two attached documents provide that information. 

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Tips and Ideas

Have you encountered a situation that you wish either you or your mentor partner would have approached differently?  It is natural to encounter some awkwardness when starting out a mentor/student relationship.  Here’s the good news: both of you can benefit by talking about and learning from the experience.  Take a look at the “Tips” section of this link for some ideas: http://www.jposc.org/content/2_3_4.html#5

Student Tips

The amount of time and effort you devote to your mentor relationship will have a direct impact on the benefits you derive from it.  Now that your mentor relationship has been initiated, it is time to consider how to maintain it.

How to maintain your mentoring relationship:

• Maintain regular contact.

• Respect your mentor's time.

• Internalize and apply what you learn.

• Follow through.

• Show appreciation.

• Give back.

The preceding tips were retrieved from:

http://www.uwosh.edu/mentoring/faculty/process.html

Mentor Tips

You have already made a commitment to be a mentor, and we (the SPH students and the SPH Mentor Program) thank you!  As your mentor relationship progresses throughout the year, it is important to think about the benefits you are receiving.  This thoughtful article describes six reasons to invest your time in a mentor relationship: http://www.mentoringgroup.com/html/mentor_32.htm

Ideas

“Are You Ready for that Interview?”

Last year, a group of SPH mentors at 3M worked together to offer their students an opportunity to experience a mock interview process.  Each student received a sample of a job posting for an entry-level biostatistics position, and submitted his or her resume for review.  The students were brought in for a half-day experience, from 10:00 - 2:00, and went through a series of one-on-one interviews with each of the mentors.  The interview process continued through lunch, affording the students a chance to experience a group lunch with all the mentors and students present.  The day culminated with a full-group feedback/question and answer session, where mentors offered their general impressions of interviews, and students inquired about the process.

What were the results?  It was fun learning experience for everyone.  The students learned about crucial interviewing strategies, like doing research on and showing an interest in the company, and the mentors received positive feedback from students who indicated what a worthwhile experience it had been.  The 3M group, spearheaded by Ron Hawkinson, also included Helen Fan, Ping Liu, and Patti Stampone.  Kudos to our creative 3M mentors!

“Outside of the Classroom”

A great activity for mentors and students is to discuss what opportunities are available to students outside of the classroom. What will best prepare the student for a job in the field?  Brainstorm ideas of how the student can balance life situations with public health career goals.  Examples include: networking, helpful reading material, volunteer opportunities, related organizations.