NIH is dedicated to promoting continued learning through the vast wealth of knowledge available through mentoring. Mentoring is a learning relationship, generally focused on long-term career development. A more experienced person (mentor) shares knowledge, experience, and wisdom with another individual (mentee). The NIH Mentoring Hub encourages IC's to create a mentor program that is ideal for their workforce with creation of toolkits, best practices, and more.
Establishing a Mentoring Program Benefits:
Organizational
- Improved productivity
- Well-rounded, skilled workforce
- Ability to grow future leaders (promote from within)
- Cross-organizational knowledge sharing
- Breakdown of "silo" mentality
- Broadens perspectives
- Increases opportunities for cross-organizational partnerships
Mentor
- Ability to create positive change by sharing your wisdom, expertise, institutional knowledge and political savvy
- Gain new perspectives
- Enhance your communication and leadership abilities
- Achieve a sense of fulfillment by assisting another person fulfill their goals
Mentee
- Career advice e.g. How do I grow as a professional?
- Specific goals e.g. How do I best get from point A to point B?
- Switching careers e.g. What knowledge, skills and abilities do I need to change my career path?
- Knowledge capital e.g. Leveraging the experience, information, institutional knowledge, learning, and skills of the mentor to broaden your awareness of the organization /institute/ agency in which you work.
Helpful links
Useful resources to begin your mentoring journey
