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Cornell University

Faculty Advancing Inclusive Mentoring

A Collaboration of the Graduate School and the Provost's Office of Faculty Development & Diversity

Professional & Career Development

Unspoken rules govern access to professional and academic opportunities. A faculty mentor who has successfully navigated the academy has knowledge and access to networks to help guide a graduate student mentee in their professional and career development.

Topics for discussion include how and where to seek publication, funding, and networking opportunities, how to create a brand as an academic, what to expect from the academic job market, and where to get support for career exploration and preparation beyond the academy. To remain mentee-centered, other areas of conversation include asking about a mentee’s goals, aspirations, and areas for growth.

Mentor Commitments

As a mentor, I will …

  • demonstrate interest in, explore, and support my mentee’s professional and career aspirations and goals.
  • support my mentee in their engagement in professional development and career exploration opportunities (e.g., exploring different career pathways within and beyond the academy, develop, implementing, and assessing inclusive teaching strategies).
  • contribute to my mentee’s development of their identity as a scholar and professional.
  • champion my mentee for professional development and career opportunities aligned with their interests.
  • utilize my network to help my mentee establish professional connections and relationships.
  • provide my mentee with insights on the elements and timing of the academic job search process.
  • be transparent about what roles I can and cannot play within their career exploration and job application process based on my knowledge and experience.
  • encourage my mentee to utilize career exploration and preparation resources such as those from the Graduate School.

Mentee Commitments

As a mentee, I will …

  • share with my mentor my professional and academic goals and aspirations.
  • seek out and ask my mentor for support as I identify professional and academic opportunities to further my goals.
  • engage in professional development and career exploration opportunities (e.g., exploring different career pathways within and beyond the academy, develop, implementing, and assessing inclusive teaching strategies).
  • proactively ask my mentor to advocate for me, the direction of my research, and my career aspirations within their professional networks.
  • engage with my constellation of mentors and university offices to access advice and resources to develop my transferable skills and explore and prepare for various career pathways.
  • seek guidance from my mentor as I develop and learn to communicate my scholarship and career aspirations.
  • seek input from my mentor and others on the unwritten rules of searches in various sectors and higher education institutional types.

Additional Resources