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Who can participate as a mentee in the S.T.E.P. program?
- The program is open to all students however, priority will be given to students who are members of a racial/ethnic minority group, including American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and/or Hispanic/Latino.
- Undergraduate and graduate students who are or will be enrolled in Fall 2009 communication sciences and disorders programs.
- You are encouraged to belong to NSSLHA, but it is not mandatory for participation.
Who can participate as a mentor in the S.T.E.P. program?
An ASHA member with at least 3 professional years who is willing to commit time, serve as a resource or advisor and assist your mentee with meeting his/her challenges.
What is required of mentees and mentors who participate in the S.T.E.P. program?
Mentees/mentors are required to commit to exchanging regular e-mail messages with their mentor/mentee during the course of the program which runs October through April. It is okay to continue communicating beyond this period if both the mentee and mentor are agreeable; however, the structured program runs for a six month period. You are also encouraged to communicate beyond email if other methods work for the mentee and mentor.
What are the expectations of the program?
- Mentees and mentors are expected to spend time getting to know each other; sharing common interests, goals and values.
- The pair should discuss expectations, what will be accomplished during the relationship and agree on some common procedures.
- Set goals and objectives; develop a mentoring plan.
- Work towards accomplishing goals and objectives.
- Evaluate accomplishments and the mentoring relationship. The mentee and mentor may redefine their relationship as colleagues, peers, partners and/or friends.
How do I sign up to be a mentee or mentor?
How will mentees and mentors be matched?
Mentees and mentors are matched based on a personal profile. The major criteria is based on the mentees area of study (audiology, speech-language pathology or speech, language and hearing science) clinical population, employment function, employment facility and specialty area (i.e. articulation, assistive listening devices, or multicultural aspects of practice). In addition, the mentees career goals may serve as a criteria factor. The mentee will be paired with a mentor who closely aligns with the students varied interests.
How long will the matching process take?
The enrollment period for both mentees and mentors opens August 15th. Matches will be completed by October 1st.
What happens after a mentee and mentor have been matched?
ASHA will provide mentees with the name and e-mail address of their mentor by October 1st. ASHA will also provide the mentors with the name and e-mail address of their mentee by October 1st. The mentoring relationship can begin immediately. Mentees will be encouraged to initiate the first e-mail exchange.
How much time will mentoring take?
We estimate that mentors will spend an average of one hour per week mentoring, but this will vary depending on the pair.
What about confidentiality?
ASHA assumes that participants in the program will abide the Code of Ethics and appropriate professional codes of conduct. Mentees and mentors will be asked to keep the messages they receive and sensitive information in confidence.
Do mentees and mentors ever meet?
S.T.E.P. 1:1 is designed to be an e-mentoring program (i.e., mentees and mentors will communicate via regular e-mail exchanges). Of course, mentees and mentors may make arrangements to meet at the ASHA Convention, state association conventions, or other scientific meetings, etc. Face-to-face meetings may have a positive influence on your mentoring relationship.
What if there are problems between a mentee and a mentor?
Please contact your mentoring coaches Andrea "Deedee" Moxley, MA, CCC-SLP, Project Manager, Office of Multicultural Affairs or Melanie Johnson, Membership Program Manager at step@asha.org if you have not heard from your mentor/mentee, if you have questions or comments about your e-mentoring relationship, or if you are uncomfortable with any aspect of your e-mentoring relationship. We will help to re-connect you with your mentor/mentee, address your questions or comments, or re-match you with a different mentor/mentee, if necessary.
How can I get my peers and/or colleagues involved?
Direct them to the S.T.E.P. information on the ASHA Web site.
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