Health and Human Development Mentoring Program: July 2009 Newsletter
Planning Goals and Actions
When you began the program, each of you completed a goals and action steps sheet. This activity provided the opportunity for you to discuss your expectations of the mentoring relationship and establish goals that are manageable and attainable and that will help define the direction of the relationship. During the second year of the program, you are asked to revisit those goals and actions to see if they were met. The goals and actions may need to be adjusted based on issues or events that developed the first year, or new ones may need to be established to keep the mentoring relationship moving forward.
The goals and action steps sheet is a tool used to help focus the expectations of both the mentor and the protégé and to help measure the success or discover the challenges in meeting goals. In a professional setting, similar planning takes place when an employee has a performance review. At the outset of employment, an employer and employee set goals and actions that give direction to the employee’s professional performance. The employee’s performance is then reviewed on a regular basis.
Students also experience this kind of goal planning when they meet with academic advisers to discuss the requirements for their major. From the start of a student’s academic career, they audit their academic progress taking into account changes in degree requirements or the addition of a minor or second major. Adjustments are made to course schedules to ensure the student receives an academic degree.
Achieving a successful outcome, whether you are a mentor, protégé, employer, employee, or student, involves planning goals and actions and reviewing them regularly. Be sure to take time to review your goal and action plans. Keep the goals manageable and attainable to ensure your continued success in the mentoring program.
Topic of the Month: Emergency Preparedness
Mentors
Ask your protégé if he/she has changed his/her degree path since first enrolling at Penn State. Has your protégé made adjustments to his/her class schedules to incorporate a minor or second major? What courses, in addition to those required for their major, is your protégé taking to make him/her more marketable?
Proteges
Ask your mentor if his/her company has a formal employee review or development process. Does the company provide an opportunity for employees to participate in professional development training or seminars to help meet their goals? Does your mentor’s company have a mentoring program?
Upcoming Events
- Summer Commencement
- August 15
- Fall Semester Classes Begin
- August 24
Save the Date
Mentoring events for 2010 will take place:
- Friday, February 26, 2010 (dinner)
- Department of Biobehavioral Health
- Department of Kinesiology
- Department of Nutritional Sciences
- Saturday, February 27, 2010 (lunch)
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
- School of Nursing
- Saturday, February 27, 2010 (dinner)
- Department of Health Policy and Administration
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies
- School of Hospitality Management
- Saturday, April 10, 2010
- Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management
Helpful Links
Daily Collegian: www.collegian.psu.edu
Penn State Newswires (subscribe): newswires.psu.edu
College of Health and Human Development Homepage: www.hhdev.psu.edu
Penn State Live (daily news from Penn State): live.psu.edu
Penn State Alumni Association Homepage: www.alumni.psu.edu
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