My 7 Suggestions for Mentees

Here's my list of things to think about. I'll be writing on each one of these in the next few postings.

Be proactive - and also be reactive.

Use your networks, but don’t abuse your networks.

Always ask. The most they can say is NO - but don’t be defensive when they do.

Make sure you know what’s out there. Take control of YOU.

Walk on water and do windows. Be prepared to do lots of windows – but remember that you get to look into them at the same time.

It’s more than a job title. Read all the words in a job ad, not just the headlines.

It’s a 2-way street – just because I want you doesn’t mean you want me – and that’s OK.

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Mentor: Anita Gibson, Deputy Director, MCSP (Maternal and Child Survival Program)

Another feature of this blog is bringing you advice and perspectives from people who mentor, by answering 3 questions.
Here are Anita Gibson's responses:
What are mentees looking for? A sense of different paths one can take in international health and strategies to reach both personal and professional goals.

What 1 piece of advice do you give every mentee you work with? Solid field experience is invaluable. Learning how to work effectively with multiple stakeholders and colleagues with varying world views is not straightforward. These skills come with experience - particularly field experience.

Why are you interested in mentoring? Admittedly, I haven't sought out mentoring opportunities; rather, I sort of fell into them, particularly with more junior colleagues with whom I work. After years of advancing my career while raising a family in the US and overseas, I find that colleagues are quite interested in how to achieve both job satisfaction and work-life balance. I certainly d…

Miley Cyrus and Me? Yes, Miley Cyrus and Me! ... or How The Voice Demonstrates #Mentoring

It’s always a surprise to people when they find out how much I love TV – and The Voice is in my top 10!
Let’s rewind to mid-2016 – when I noticed ads for The Voice as I was fast-forwarding through commercials. Imagine my surprise when the ads showed Miley Cyrus joining the team as a coach.
I thought: Really? As a Guest Coach – ? She has been so outrageous for the past couple years – and not exactly a good role model.
It didn’t seem a “good” choice to me.

But I love watching The Voice so that overrode my initial reactions.
In one of the first shows of Season 11, Miley had an intense look, as you can see in the photo. It struck me that this must be how I look when I’m on a telcon mentoring session (because suddenly I’ll realize I’ve been so focused on listening and the interaction that I haven’t taken a note or looked at the clock).
And then in the Knockouts (after Belle sang), she said, “I think I'll learn a lot and grow a lot in this experience too.”
My AHA moment (besides realizing my …

Mentor: Dr. Pamela Lynam, Country Director, Jhpiego/Kenya (retired)

Another feature of this blog is bringing you advice and perspectives from people who mentor, by answering these questions:

What 1 piece of advice do you give every mentee you work with?
Be the master of your change, not a victim to it, since change is inevitable.Enjoy your work - you have to want to go to work every day.

Why are you interested in mentoring?

So I can help, not be a hindrance to other people. I like finding how to inspire people. It increases my satisfaction to see others' growth.

Photo Source: DeathtoStock_IntotheLight-05

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