Mentoring can be defined as a developmental relationship between a more experienced mentor and a less experienced mentee focused on enhancing the mentee’s growth and skill development. The TSHP Mentor Program is the place to go for career development expertise. As a mentor, share your professional expertise with less experienced pharmacy students who are looking for guidance. As a mentee, benefit from the wealth of knowledge and experience found in mentors from a variety of practice interest areas.

Program Timeline

• October 15 Eenrollment opens for 2011-2012 for both mentors and mentees via the online application process
• December 20 enrollment process closes
• Mid-January Mentee and Mentor matches are posted on the website and participants are notified 
• April 13, 2012 Mentor Program Social at the TSHP Annual Seminar in Dallas, TX

Mentor Requirements
Must be a current registered Texas pharmacist member of TSHP and be willing to actively participate in the TSHP Mentor Program with the following characteristics:

• Has strong interpersonal skills, is a good listener, and is able to establish a respectful, confidential mentoring relationship.
• Sets high expectations for himself/herself and others.
• Committed to being a mentor and to making the mentoring relationship work.
• Committed to the profession and to professional growth.
• Competent, experienced, and able to apply best practices in teaching.

Mentee Requirements
Must be a current pharmacy student of TSHP and be willing to actively participate in the TSHP Mentor Program. Student members must be in their P2-P4 year at an ACPE accredited Texas College of Pharmacy with the following characteristics:

• Desire to be a mentee (being receptive to learning, developing a learning relationship with a mentor).
• Be receptive to the advice and counsel of the mentor.

_Mentor Responsibilities

• Introduce the mentee to research challenges and make suggestions as to options & positive ways to achieve goals.
• Provide guidance, encouragement, motivation and support to the mentee in selecting and developing post-graduate goals and opportunities.
• Maintain at least one monthly contact (via phone, E-Mail) with the mentee.
• Encourage at least one personal visit per year, via meetings for local chapters of TSHP, Annual Seminar or other school functions.
• Maintain confidentiality in personal information shared.
• Acquaint the mentee with the mentor’s area of practice and discuss various curricular options whereby he/she can gain expertise in this area if desired.
• Expand the mentee’s network of contacts with other pharmacists in the field if opportunities arise.
• Identify resources to help the mentee enhance personal development and career growth.
• Provide continuous advice and feedback

Mentee Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality in personal information shared.
• Inform the mentor of areas of interest in pharmacy.
• Discuss ideas, goals, aspirations and plan of action/timeline with the mentor.
• Respond to the mentor’s communication or messages as well as initiate contact at least once per month (via phone, E-Mail) with the mentor.
• Keep the mentor informed on a semester or quarterly basis as to courses taken, provide a copy of course syllabus (if applicable/warranted), and/or changes in academic program.
• Be willing to discuss developmental problems and concerns as they occur with the mentor.
• Seek feedback from your mentor and others regarding your strengths and additional developmental needs.
• Work with your mentor to seek resources and opportunities for learning
• Look for opportunities to give back to the mentor; share any information that might be valuable
• Take full advantage of the opportunity to learn from the mentor
• Participate in mentor/mentee functions and activities.

Suggestions on building a successful one-on-one mentoring partnership

• Mentees are to contact their mentors within 2 weeks of matching and should provide their mentor a curriculum vitae or resume during this time period
• The mentee should be led through a productive personal assessment: identifying strengths, weaknesses, skill development needs, career expectations and objectives.
• Together, the mentor and mentee should establish expectations and goals.
• The mentor and mentee should develop a decision-making process for evaluating professional opportunities and expectations
• Time lines and goals for professional activity and accomplishments should be created
• Both the mentor and mentee should receive feedback from her/his counterpart in the relationship.
• The mentee is to contact their mentor once a month to provide status updates.

Program References
To download a brochure about the Mentor Program, click here.

For helpful hints on the no-hassle guide to being a great mentor, click here.

AJHP Value of Mentorship Article, click here.

To learn how to become a more effective mentor and preceptor, see the slides from the "See One, Do One, Mentor One" presentation at the 2011 TSHP Annual Seminar, click here.
 
For a list of 2012 Mentors & Mentees, click here.

2011-2012 Mentor Program Chair
Linda Haines PharmD, MS
Email: tshp.mentor.program@gmail.com