Peer Mentorship

 

 

What is a Mentor?

A mentor is an experienced person or advisor who trains or counsels another individual.[1] This individual is often referred to as a “mentee.” In the student mentor-mentee relationship, the mentor often takes on a supporting role in which the mentor provides the mentee with guidance and encouragement based upon their own experiences as a student and the successful study and examination approaches they have developed over time.
 

The Mentor-Mentee Relationship

Research has shown that developing and sustaining the mentor-mentee relationship is valuable from both the mentor and mentee perspective. In a study conducted at the University of Dundee,[2] upper-year accounting and finance students were paired with first-year students who were struggling academically. The researchers found that at the end of the mentoring program, both the mentors and mentees had significantly benefited from and enjoyed their mentorship experience.

Several benefits from the mentee perspective:

    - Improved social circle of friends;
    - Improved academic performance and the development of transferable skills;
    - Greater confidence in their abilities and potential.

Several benefits from the mentor perspective:

    - Improved social circle of friends;
    - Enhanced confidence and transferable skills;
    - Reinforced understanding of the material;
    - Opportunity to critically assess and adjust their own approach to certain issues;
    - Appreciation of how much development occurs between lower and upper-years.

So how can the LAA help me?

While the Laurentian Accounting Association does not have a formal mentoring program in place, we recognize the importance of mentorship in the personal, professional and academic development of our members.

We strongly encourage lower-year members to seek an upper-year member to serve as mentor, and for upper-year members to adopt and help guide a lower-year mentee. In order to facilitate the development of this mentor-mentee relationship, we invite you to use the LAA forums as a means of finding a member to begin communicating with.

Feel free to use the LAA forums to post a short profile of who you are, your interests, and what you are looking for in a mentor/mentee. It is our hope that you will use this thread as a means of finding a person who you think would be a great mentor or mentee for you. You can also contact any member of our Executive.

We hope you find the mentoring experience both valuable and fulfilling!
 

How to be a Great Mentor

The following list[3,4] describes how you can become a great mentor:

    - Be open and honest with your mentee;
    - Give your mentee your undivided attention when you meet with them;
    - Provide tasks or actions for the mentee to complete between meetings;
    - Provide examples of your work or previous learnings for mentees;
    - Suggest resources, books, website or networks that might benefit your mentee;
    - Introduce your mentee to others in your network or business;
    - Promote your mentee to others when appropriate;
    - Agree what is acceptable to discuss and what is not;
    - Maintain confidentiality;
    - Establish contact guidelines for the mentee;
    - Demonstrate to your mentee that your are consistent, dependable and trustworthy;
    - Be an advisor, not a preacher.

Other Resources – Specific Academic Help

One of the great things about Laurentian University is the variety of resources available for students on campus. So if you find yourself struggling with course material, or are writing a difficult assignment, please recognize that there is help available. We have all been in this position at one time or another; you just need to have the courage to ask for assistance.

Laurentian University – Peer Tutoring Services

Every student is entitled to so many hours of free one-on-one or group tutoring sessions per academic semester. Tutors are paid by Laurentian University, have been approved by the professor of the course and have achieved a final grade of at least 80% in the course they are tutoring. Please visit room L-210 of the R.D. Parker building to learn more and to sign up as either a tutor or tutee. Room L-210 is located toward the back door of the bookstore. You can also send inquiries to supportprograms@laurentian.ca

As another alternative, you can often find upper-year students or students within your own course who are willing to do private one-on-one or group tutoring sessions. You can usually find these individuals by looking at flyers posted around campus, or asking your professor or peers who they would recommend. As a starting point, you might also look to see if there is anyone offering their services on the LAA forums.

Laurentian University – Writing Assistance Program

There is extensive use of case studies within the courses offered through the Faculty of Management, as they provide you with the opportunity to discuss, understand, and apply course concepts and theories.

A strong case analysis requires you to rank and assess issues in a clear and concise manner and to then communicate your recommendation(s) based upon your assessment of the issue(s) at hand. If you are struggling with any part of the case writing process, the writing assistants at the Writing Assistance Program will help you understand and solve your issues. Assistance is free and is available in both English and French. To learn more or to make an appointment, please visit the Writing Assistance Program website.
 

Citations
 
[1] Mentor. (2000). Askoxford.com. Oxford University Press. Retrieved July 28, 2009, from http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/mentor
[2] Fox, A., & Stevenson, L. (2006). Exploring the effectiveness of peer mentoring of accounting and finance students in higher education. Accounting Education: an international journal, 15(2), 189-202. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
[3] “How to be a Great Mentor” by Neen James. Web article retrieved July 28, 2009. http://www.neenjames.com/modules/smartarticle/item.php?itemid=36
[4] “20+ Ways to be a Great Mentor” by Mentor Michigan. Web article retrieved July 28, 2009. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/20_Ways_to_be_a_Better_Mentor_101420_7.pdf