MENTOR MATCHING
What is Mentor Matching?
Mentor Matching is the latest addition to an expanding line-up of APIC services to support members’ professional development needs. It is an online tool – essentially a searchable database – that facilitates the establishment of mentoring relationships. It is user-driven, allowing mentees to search among registered mentors using specified criteria to find individuals whose experience and expertise match areas in which they wish to be mentored. Likewise, interested mentors can use the tool to search for and identify potential mentees.
Is there a fee associated with using Mentor Matching?
Mentor Matching is a benefit of APIC membership and is available only to members. There is no extra charge to use this resource.
How are mentors and mentees matched?
A registered mentee will visit the “Find a Mentor” page and fill in criteria to start a search for possible mentors. Once appropriate mentors are located, the mentee can read their profiles and decide whom they would like to contact. An e-mail is sent to the mentor alerting them that they have been selected. It takes both sides agreeing to confirm a “match.”
ONLINE MENTORING COMMUNITY
What is a “community”?
A community refers to a group of like-minded APIC members interested in networking and communicating around a particular program or broad topic. The mentoring community is for participants in and enthusiasts of the APIContact Program, APIC’s online mentoring program. Each “community” you belong to connects you to others who share your professional interests and provides access to related news and announcements, discussions, and resources.
What is a Discussion?
A Discussion is a cross between a listserv and threaded discussion forum. When members create and/or respond to a discussion board post, a formatted e-mail message is sent to other members subscribed to the forum. Members receive posts immediately, daily, or weekly, depending on their preferences.
What are resource libraries?
Resource libraries collect, store and organize documents, presentations, spreadsheets, audio/video files, photos, and e-mail attachments sent through Discussions. APIC staff and community members can easily submit content as well as rate, comment, and add to existing library entries.
Do I have to be an APIC member to be part of the mentoring community?
Yes, the online mentoring program is a benefit for APIC members only.
MENTORS
How do I become a mentor?
If you are an APIC member, simply complete your profile and then the mentor enrollment form here.
What are APIC’s expectations for participating mentors?
APIC expects that once you have enrolled as a mentor and indicated your availability, you will fulfill your commitment to develop at least one mentoring relationship. In addition, we would expect you to respond in a timely manner to initial requests from mentees to establish a relationship, and then to communicate with your chosen mentees on a regular basis.
How much time do I have to invest as an online mentor?
While this is entirely up to you, we recommend that you and your mentee agree up front on a schedule that works best for both of you. The most important thing is to discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication venues at the start of your relationship. Keep in mind that mentoring doesn’t necessarily require large amounts of your time. Even brief phone calls or e-mail exchanges can make a big difference to a mentee. The APIC Annual Conference also offers a convenient venue for getting together over coffee or lunch.
How will I know if a mentee has selected me as their mentor?
Once a mentee has completed a search of the mentor database and selected a mentor that meets his/her criteria, an e-mail message will be sent to the mentor. If you receive such a notification, it is up to you to respond by accepting or rejecting the request.
Is it okay to refuse a request?
Yes, but there should be a good reason to do so. We would encourage you to at least have an initial conversation to explore whether the relationship would be mutually fulfilling. If a potential mentee has misinterpreted information in your profile, you may find him/her to be an inappropriate match. If you want to decline a request, go to the “My Mentoring Relationships” page and check the “decline” button for the specific request.
What if I’m going to be on vacation or unavailable for a period of time?
If you will be unavailable for an extended period of time, you can go to the “Mentor Enrollment” page under the “Mentor Status” and click on the checkbox next to “Temporarily Not Participating.” This will indicate that you are not accepting any mentees at the moment, and your mentoring profile will not be included in a mentee’s search for a mentor. As for your existing mentees, it would up to your discretion to communicate your availability to them.
What should I do if I want to end a mentoring relationship?
After learning more about your mentee, you may feel that you do not have the expertise to help this person or for other reasons feel it is not a good match. Ending the relationship sensitively with an explanation would be appropriate. If you do decide to end the relationship, you can go to the “My Mentoring Relationships” section and mark the relationship as “completed.”
What benefits do I receive from APIC if I participate in the program?
All APIC mentors are volunteers. As an active program participant, you will receive a ribbon identifying you as a mentor for the following year’s APIC Annual Conference. APIC will also provide, upon request, a letter recognizing your contributions to the mentoring program.
What resources are available to assist me in my mentoring role?
Under the “Resources” tab at the top of the page, you will find articles of interest posted by APIC and fellow mentors. This resource library is in the process of being built, so please check back often, and feel free to suggest materials to be added. We also encourage you to attend the various mentoring activities at the annual conference where you can network with other mentors and mentees, attend professional development workshops on mentorship, and access the APIContact Lounge, a great meeting place for mentors and their mentees.
MENTEES
How do I participate as a mentee?
If you are an APIC member, you can register in APIC’s mentoring program by completing a mentee profile.
Who are the mentors?
Mentors participating in APIC’s online mentoring program are APIC members who have volunteered their time to support young practitioners and other infection prevention colleagues in their professional development.
How do I find a mentor?
Once you have enrolled as a mentee, click “Find a Mentor” and select the criteria you want to use for your search. You can be as broad or as specific as you would like but, you must select the mentoring venue. Keep in mind that the more preferences you select, the smaller your search results are likely to be. Search results will show available mentors who match your criteria.
Can I have more than one mentor?
While there is no limit to the number of mentoring relationships you can establish, we recommend you be judicious in selecting only those most suited to your needs, keeping in mind that mentors have limited time to offer and that other mentees might be interested some of the same mentors.
How do I contact the mentor I select?
Once you have identified a mentor you would like to contact, you will be directed to their profile page where there is a “Click Here to Contact” button.
What happens after I contact the mentor?
The mentor receives an e-mail request notification and then it is up to the mentor to contact you to accept or, in the unlikely event, to decline your request.
What should I do if I don’t hear from the mentor I selected?
If you don’t hear from the mentor within one or two weeks, feel free to contact him/her, using the contact information found on the mentor’s profile page.
What if the mentor isn’t the right “fit” for my needs?
Sometimes, regardless of the information provided, mentors and mentees don’t always ‘fit.’ If this happens, we suggest that you speak honestly with your mentor, be courteous, thank them for their time, and start a new search.
How long can I keep a mentor?
A mentoring relationship can last as long as you and your mentor wish. Time spent and length of the connection is a decision to be made jointly by the mentor and mentee.
Where can I meet with my mentor?
It is up to you and your mentor to decide how, when, and where you want to pursue your mentoring relationship. We expect most of the communications between you and your mentor will occur by phone or electronically. In addition, the APIC Annual Conference offers an opportunity to meet in person. We also encourage you to attend the various mentoring activities at the annual conference where you can network with other mentors and mentees, attend professional development workshops on mentorship, and access the APIContact Lounge, a great meeting place for mentors and their mentees.