FAQ for Mentors and Prospective Mentors

How much time will it take?

• The formal agreement is for one year. This can evolve into an informal relationship by mutual agreement once the mentoring year ends.
• Expected contact is once a month – minimum.
• Meeting with your Mentee at the HRS annual meeting is strongly encouraged but not required.

How am I supposed to communicate with my Mentee?

• The initial contact is made by the Mentor after receiving information about the Mentee from HRS’s Mentoring Work Group.
• Contact can be via email, phone calls or in-person meetings.
• You and you Mentee should agree on a preferred way to communicate during your initial contact.

Am I expected to meet with my Mentee face to face?

• It is very desirable for you to meet with your Mentee, especially at an HRS event, but is not required.
• You may wish to invite the Mentee to your institution to do a site visit, or suggest meeting at a mutually desirable conference.
• Consider using fellowship grants from Industry to invite your Mentee to meet.

Will there be an HRS-sponsored get together for Mentors and Mentees?

• Yes, yearly at the annual HRS meeting. Learn about the WLI sessions at Heart Rhythm 2008.

Can I select a Mentee or will one be assigned to me?

• You will be matched to your Mentee by the Mentoring Working Group, based on the information provided by you in your Mentor application form and by the Mentee on her Mentee application form.

How many Mentees can I have?

• You may choose to mentor up to three mentees.

Do I have to provide feedback to my Mentee?

• Yes. In addition to answering her specific questions, you should provide constructive feedback to your Mentee as you go along.
• You should plan to do a six month review with your Mentee, making sure the Mentee’s goals for the relationship are being met, and to agree on any needed mid-course adjustments.
• You should also bring closure to the agreed-upon year by providing final feedback to the Mentee.
• Refer to the Mentor’s Toolkit (available directly from the Mentoring Working Group) for further information and suggestions.

Will I have an opportunity to provide feedback to HRS about the program?

• Yes. A brief formal evaluation of your experiences as a Mentor will be conducted to help the Mentoring Working Group ensure accountability, monitor the effectiveness of the program and identify potential improvements.

What happens if I encounter problems?

• The Mentoring Working Group stands ready to help with support and intervention as needed.

Will being a Mentor count towards academic promotion?

• Institutional procedures vary but typically this type of activity is considered public/ community service and should be included in your tenure package or promotion dossier.