A mentorship relationship involves two parties, the mentor and the mentee, and effective mentorship requires preparation and participation from both to be successful. Whether you are considering your career or exploring a new research subject, a good mentor can help you develop a strategy that helps you achieve your dreams. 

Mentors are professional and personal advisors, usually with more experience than their mentee. It is a position that can take many forms, and each mentorship relationship is unique. Most mentors advise, challenge, advocate, and affirm their mentees while simultaneously helping them to clarify their goals and develop the skills to reach them. 

The following steps should be taken by mentees to prepare for mentoring relationships, adapted from Bri Hart and Midhat Farooq for the American Institute of Physics (more):

1. Establish goals for the mentoring relationship.

   Mentees: Share your aspirations with your mentor using the SMART framework to craft goals in academics and professional growth. Consider the mentorship activities and information provided elsewhere on the website to evaluate where you can improve (see: Building a Mentoring Network).
   Mentors: Understand what kind of mentor you want to be. Set expectations based on those of your mentee, and aim to support their confidence. Arrive at your first meeting with mentoring topics and a general structure for the conversation you will have (see: Resources for Mentorship).

2. Develop a mentoring checklist.

   Discuss shared expectations for communication methods, frequency, and responsiveness. Establish a plan for missed meetings and adaptability. Create a list of topics to help you stay on track (see: Resources for Mentorship).

3. Take initiative.

   Mentees: Actively pursue opportunities for growth and implement your mentor's advice. Supplement your mentor's guidance by doing your own research. There are a wealth of resources and opportunities available to you on campus, in the region, and in the international physics and astronomy communities (see: Resources for Mentorship).
   Mentors: Select topics to discuss in advance. If your mentee does not check in or seems to be less communicative, reach out to them first and offer support. Aim to set up networking opportunities or share information with them if it would be of interest.

4. Give feedback.

   If something is or is not working for you in a mentoring relationship, it is important to convey that to your mentoring partner. Constructive feedback can help a mentor refine their skillset to provide mentees with the best support possible, and it can help a mentee identify opportunities for improvement or advancement. When giving feedback, consider your motives and maintain professionalism. It can help to take notes in advance or rely on existing tools (see: Resources for Mentorship).

5. Build a network of mentors.

   It is unrealistic for one mentor to meet all mentoring needs. Consider what your personal and professional needs are with respect to your current mentoring relationships. If there are gaps, seek additional mentors to add to your network.