The mission of the IT@Cornell Mentoring Program is to support and guide personal growth of IT@Cornell’s internal talent by providing participants with access to experienced peers and colleagues who can facilitate leadership and development opportunities.

For more information, please contact it-mentoring@cornell.edu

Program Objectives

• Establish connections/networking opportunities within IT@Cornell.
• Help employees transition into a new role.
• Help experienced employees enhance their career potential or identify new career paths.
• Assist new managers by pairing them with an experienced manager within an IT organization.
• Reassess and modify the program based on feedback.    

What Is Mentoring?

Mentoring is a developmental partnership through which one person (Mentor) shares knowledge, skills, information, and perspective to foster the personal and professional growth of someone else (Mentee).

Qualities of an Effective Mentee

• Has realistic expectations of the mentor relationship
• Accepts the mentoring relationship with “no strings attached”
• Is willing to express dilemmas, feelings, emotions
• Listens well
• Values and is open to the opinions of others
• Engages in self-examination
• Has the courage to try out new behaviors and patterns

Qualities of an Effective Mentor

• Shares skills, knowledge, and expertise
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and acts as a positive role model
• Take a personal interest in the mentoring relationship
• Exhibits enthusiasm in the IT field
• Values ongoing learning and growth in the IT field
• Provides guidance and constructive feedback
• Is respected by colleagues and employees at all levels of the organization
• Sets and meets ongoing personal and professional goals
• Values the opinions and initiatives of others
• Motivates others by setting a good example

Tips for Mentoring

Mentoring Others (Lynda.com, video)

9 Powerful Practices of Really Great Mentors (Skillsoft, book)