What is the Role of the Journalism and Strategic Communication Mentor?
The journalism and strategic communication organization mentors serve as coaches or guides willing to share their educational and professional experience, knowledge and insights to aid the student mentee in achieving career goals and aspirations. Mentors also function as an informal advisor to listen to the educational and professional concerns and frustrations of the mentee. When feasible, mentors also assist the mentee in identifying available options or solutions. Although highly rewarding, mentoring is not for the faint of heart. It requires strong listening and communication skills, as well as a great deal of patience.
Why Become a Mentor?
Mentoring provides an extraordinary opportunity to facilitate a student’s personal and professional growth. The mentoring relationship is also beneficial to the mentor. Among other things it: Increases the mentor’s interpersonal skills based on the one-on-one interaction with the student mentee; Affords the mentor a sense of personal satisfaction in contributing to the student mentee’s growth and development; Enhances the mentor’s leadership skills through coaching, guiding and advising; and Expands the mentor’s networking opportunities and visibility with the journalism and strategic communication organizations and the Missouri School of Journalism.
What are the Responsibilities of the Mentor?
To maximize the benefits of the mentoring relationship, the journalism and strategic communication organization mentors should:
- Encourage student mentees to meet their educational and professional goals and objectives;
- Share relevant life and work experiences to assist the student mentee in making educational and professional decisions;
- Assist the student mentee in identifying professionals for possible informational interviews concerning the mentee’s chosen career field;
- Review and provide constructive feedback on the student mentee’s job preparation and application materials;
- Maintain the confidentiality of conversation with the student mentee; and
- Communicate with the mentee at least once each month during the mentoring period.