Academic Mentor’s Expiration Date
Posted by Judy Anne Cavey on May 5, 2011 in College Life, Mentoring Relationships, mentorship | No Comments
According to one study, professors have an “expiration date” when it comes to effective mentoring.
A Northwestern University study showed, “…when it comes to counseling, enthusiasm and commitment trump experience.” They found successful educators were great mentors in the first third of their careers, but didn’t do well in the final third. Why? The study’s author, R. Dean Malmgren believes, “They may have had too much on their plates to effectively oversee students or put themselves in their proteges’ places.” But Malmgren confirms mentoring benefits both parties.