Mentoring is a subject with extensive research, and there is a plethora of resources on “effective practices.” This page, which will keep growing in depth and substance, is an attempt to provide mentors general tips, suggested readings, and links to more resources.

This US Geological Society’s website containts a nice list of readings, starting with quick tips. Many of the resources linked are worth a skim, but our favorite is a set of tips from Cal Tech, with great elaboration, “Set expectations: Support, yet challenge, your mentees; Be a positive role model; Be genuinely interested in your mentee as an individual; Share your experiences and insights; Ask questions;  Act as a sounding board; Provide helpful feedback; Acknowledge achievements; Foster community; Make regular appearances [be available].”

Here’s a nice lit review article on mentoring in higher education. ” The authors provide a model, concluding with a quotation from an older study (in the Journal of Organizational Behavior) where the author had found that “Mentored individuals reported having more career mobility/opportunity, recognition, satisfaction, and promotions than non-mentored individuals” (Fagenson, 1986, p. 316).

This dissertation includes three articles, reviewing more recent literature, including e-mentoring, and mentors’ own development.

This brief Harvard Business Review article has quick tips on mentoring in contextualized to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Please share your favorite article or resource and we will add it here.

Finally, here is our “My Memorable Mentoring Moment” story-sharing file where we’re gathering quick stories/reflections from mentors and mentees alike to inspire the community. We’ll share these inspirational snippets through the blog page of our site.