Suggestion 3: Always ask. The most they can say is NO - but don’t be defensive when they do.

My mother always used to tell me this - and it was validated when I was a senior in high school. My grades were just under the A- line which identified the group that was required to take the National Merit Scholarship test while it was optional for others. Thanks to my mother, it was a test I did take. Only the class valedictorian and I had test scores giving us Letters of Commendation.

So you should always ask - for an informational interview, for help connecting you to a colleague of mine, for consideration for a job. You never know what the person will say - and it could be YES....

But don't be defensive if I do say No. It may not be the right time, the right place, the right skills fit, or the right person. Remember that there will be another opportunity.

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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.”
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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

Sue Mentors: Jobs, Careers, Lifework...

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