Free, confidential mentoring advice available for all UCSF researchers
By Kate Rauch
Because mentoring fosters a culture of wisdom-sharing—from experienced academics to those at earlier stages in their careers—it is increasingly recognized as a vital service at UCSF.
Mentors can help in myriad ways, from offering pragmatic career planning to helping mentees link to valuable academic resources.
We find there’s always a way to address an issue, and to provide support.Mandana Khalili, MD, Director of CTSI’s Mentor Consultation Service
Mentors also receive career advancement benefits, and many find personal satisfaction in assisting junior colleagues.
But as in all relationships, the mentor-mentee connection can also bring up a wide range of challenges. That’s why it’s important to have help available through UCSF’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), which offers free and confidential mentoring advice through its Consultation Services program.
“Our consultants are very experienced mentors.Individuals have completed the CTSI Mentor Development Program and are sufficiently trained to address challenges that can arise in mentoring relationships,” said Mandana Khalili, MD, director of CTSI’s Mentor Consultation Service.
Some faculty may be hesitant to seek help with mentoring because of feeling as if they should be able to solve problems on their own. But effective mentoring involves real skills and strategies that don’t always come naturally, but can be learned, Khalili points out.
Common mentoring snags include miscommunication, uncertainty about the best resources for specific needs, or questions about the value or direction of the relationship.
The consultation service matches seasoned faculty mentors with mentors or mentees needing advice, and is available to faculty form all four UCSF schools and affiliates.
“We find there’s always a way to address an issue, and to provide support,” Khalili said. Consultants are able to tailor advice to specific needs, and are very invested in the experience, Khalili added.
Faculty can request a consultation online, and consultations can take place by email, phone, or in person.
Confidentiality is guaranteed, Khalili said. “This allows the freedom of thought and expression; some of the issues can be very sensitive.”