Valuable Work, Engaged Mentorship, Impactful Outcomes: An Introduction

The three labs of this grant advance research and strategic engagement with service and space design, learning assessment, and digital scholarship. Today’s libraries are immersed in leading conversations about solutions to these challenging issues. Woven through the work is a commitment to mentorship and a philosophy enabling ongoing learning. This grant promotes problem solving and scholarship, with the goal of experiential learning and developing knowledge and skills needed for the real world. The outcome is for students to have the confidence and aptitude to thrive in environments where problems are abundant and solutions need to be created.

Identifying Real World Projects

Intentionality is fundamental to the success of the mentoring relationship. Identifying a real and meaningful project that benefits the library, and creates learning opportunities for librarians and students to work together results in empowered and impactful outcomes. Identifying a real world project starts with a conversation, a scan of the landscape and a prioritization of possibilities. What are the priorities on campus? How can the library address those priorities?  What projects might have the most impact on your services? These are among the types of questions that enable the relevance and success of a selected project. 

To launch the preliminary conversation, come with three project ideas that are central to the work of the library. This provides a platform for discussion, project scope, and alignment when selecting the project to move forward. This process provides agency for both the mentor and mentee to surface relevant issues, be realistic about the capacity for completion of the project, and for the student to take a leadership role in the direction of the project.

Featured Activities

This activity will help you articulate both the needs of the library as well as the needs of both members of the mentoring relationship. It is also a good first step in determining the scope of the project. By working with stakeholders to identify real world work problems, the mentor can shape and push forward a project that will not only have impact for the mentoring pair, but also for the larger institution and profession.

Creating a Good Match Between the Mentee and the Project

Mentorship is about the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and identifying growth opportunities. The mentorship relationship is one of encouragement, trust, and connection.  Taking the time to lay the foundation for mentorship requires self reflection, openness, and a willingness to be vulnerable. This approach enables a positive foundation from the beginning and an increased potential for meaningful outcomes. 

To ensure a productive mentoring relationship, take the time to understand and match the characteristics of mentors and mentees. Use the communication and inclusivity skills discussed in the Building Mentoring Relationships section to routinely connect with each other. Early on in the relationship, learn more about each other’s strengths and weaknesses in order to find a good balance between building on existing knowledge and developing new skills.

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The beginning of a project is a good time for “definitions” – Defining the project, defining your needs, and defining what you do well.  A SWOT activity (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) is a good way to understand yourself and analyze both internal and external factors that will affect your impact on the project.

Completing your own personal mission statement can be a very private yet meaningful activity.  Articulating what you care about, determining what does not matter to you, and thinking about your future can be a powerful exercise in finding direction in your work.

Planning for Project Success

A co-developed plan will enable organization and management of key project activities and milestones.  It is important to co-articulate steps, agree on roles and responsibilities, identify common communication tools, and capture shared values. These will be the foundation for timelines and deliverables, which should be determined together.  One of the most powerful tips for project management is to expect that there will be bumps in the road and to have the confidence and flexibility to adjust as needed. Build in time for reflection and regular check-ins throughout the project.

Featured Activities

The strength of the mentoring relationship makes possible a shared approach to this important milestone. Together, you can ask clarifying questions or think more deeply about how to break down specific tasks. A common approach is to create a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). This allows you to identify all the tasks related to a project and parse them into manageable components.

Embracing the Work

Both mentors and mentees are busy. There will be times when there are competing responsibilities and time constraints. Students are balancing course loads, working jobs, and managing personal obligations. Librarians are engaging with position responsibilities, meeting professional obligations, and addressing patron needs. Recognizing the complexity of these responsibilities requires intentional engagement and dedicated attention. Taking the time to work through the following exercises regarding work environment, communication styles and meeting etiquette will mitigate misunderstandings and emphasize communication.

Featured Activities

The strength of the mentoring relationship makes possible a shared approach to this important milestone. Together, you can ask clarifying questions or think more deeply about how to break down specific tasks. A common approach is to create a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). This allows you to identify all the tasks related to a project and parse them into manageable components.

The strength of the mentoring relationship makes possible a shared approach to this important milestone. Together, you can ask clarifying questions or think more deeply about how to break down specific tasks. A common approach is to create a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). This allows you to identify all the tasks related to a project and parse them into manageable components.

The strength of the mentoring relationship makes possible a shared approach to this important milestone. Together, you can ask clarifying questions or think more deeply about how to break down specific tasks. A common approach is to create a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). This allows you to identify all the tasks related to a project and parse them into manageable components.

These three conversations/activities can happen either simultaneously in one meeting or be developed over the course of consecutive meetings. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to tackle all of these discussions at once. Take some time at the beginning of the mentoring experience to thoughtfully consider the environment, communication needs, and meeting expectations in order to provide a foundation for your work together. Check in with each other about these important aspects of your work throughout the project timeline. Formally check in by intentionally returning to these questions at occasional meetings devoted to the subjects listed above.  Informally, make time in regular meetings for casual conversation and updates. Previous work experiences and lived experiences can create differences in communication styles, participation styles, and thought processes.  Check out 8 Ground Rules for Great Meetings from the Harvard Business Review for more advice regarding meeting etiquette.

Know Your Risks, Aim for the Rewards and Learn Together

Impactful mentoring relationships are a combination of relevant work, clear purpose, significant interactions and application to the real world. An academic library by its nature focuses on discovery and knowledge creation. This is increasingly important in an ambiguous and complex world. Mentoring is a way to make visible our values in action.   

By taking an expansive approach to mentoring and connecting learning with real world projects we can increase capacity for professional development, mission advancement and alignment with emerging and increasingly collaborative practices in scholarship.   

There are risks to embedding mentoring practices in real world projects. The stakes are high, lost opportunities are real, and there is a possibility of a negative impact for users. It is critical to identify projects that have a high likelihood of benefiting from the mentorship experience.  It takes a great deal of judgment from both parties to recognize which projects will benefit from the mentoring experience. The goal should be some kind of growth for everyone. Dedicating time and energy to the mentorship relationship mitigates these risks and increases positive outcomes for mentors, mentees and users. Embracing the work, the mentoring relationship and associates risks creates opportunity for results not otherwise possible. Learning together yields commitment and authenticity. Work grounded in a real need provides a win/win/win situation – the mentor, mentee, and library all get something out of the experience. The value of the work translates into the value of learning experience and the outcome for all participating.