Do you have experience of mentoring or do you have a mentor?

Question

I would be interested to hear of anyone who has expereince of mentoring in their work.

I co-ordinate a mentoring scheme within the early years settings that i advise and i am seeking some like minded individuals to discuss the benefits of this type of work.

Do you agree that mentoring can aid reflective practice?

Do you think that having a mentor can be benefical to you personally and professionally?

Thanks for taking the time to answer this question.

Answer 1

I was once in a filmmaking class where we were going to film our final projects, and instead of making my own film, I was assigned to aid another student in directing HIS film (the professor recognized that I had a lot of skill and hoped that I could teach this other student a thing or two).  Long story short, he ignored all of my advice, and the result was a poor film in both conception and execution that only got a golf clap from the audience.

My mentoring didn't work because this was a strictly artistic environment, and I can understand that the student was probably fearful of me taking control of his film.  My mentoring did teach me something about myself (since we're talking about reflective practice); I know what I'm talking about.  If I say "do this" when making a movie, it needs to be done if it's going to work.  Having a mentor WOULD have been beneficial to the other student, if he was willing to listen. :P

Answer 2

I currently work in a college in the uk dealing with students ranging from 15 - adults.

I am a mentor and i mentor a student who is 16 and going through some tough times. I personally find that mentoring helps her have someone totally partial from her family and tutor etc to talk her problems over with.

She is always spoken to in a relaxed atmosphere such as the canteen and I found after qbout 5 sessions she was starting to open up and trust me more.

It also benefits me as i am able to help her and i know i am doing all i can in order to help her and also working hard to help her achieve her goals.

It has helped her self esteem and she feels confident enough to now begin a full time programme in September

Answer 3

I work as a registered nurse and have been mentoring overseas nurses undergoing a period of adaptation to achieve uk  registration to practice as nurses.

I do agree with you that mentoring can aid reflective practice. I encourage my students to write regular reflections throughout their adaptation. I also use my mentoring experience in a reflective way and have found the use of written reflection a valuable tool for both the student and myself.

I don't have a mentor myself but do undergo a period of clinical supervision with another registered nurse every two months.

Many years ago (lol) during my student nurse training I had a mentor for each module of training.  My experiences were mixed - some bad, some good.  The development of a sound professional relationship is paramount.

I would hope my student finds his adaptation experience a positive one in which he develops the clinical competencies he needs.  Just wish I could give him more time, but has to be fitted in when we both have the time.

Hope this helps.  x

Answer 4

i have had some good mentors and some really awful ones. I think interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence are the key. Some people are experts with a lot of knowledge to share but the true mark of a good mentor is someone who can relate to the individual they are trying to help rather thatn just having a list of ready prepeared questions up their sleeve. For me, it is about someone who can facilitate my own thinking and help me to reflect on my own practice without feeling the need to answer the questions for me. I would say that mentoring is a highlyu effective tool in the hands of a well equipped socially adept person. Good luck with your project.