SOME EXTRACTED POINTS FROM

Townsend, G. C. (2002). People Who Make a Difference: Mentors and Role Models, inroads SIGCSE Bulletin, 34(2):57-61.

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The best mentors should be good listeners, observers, and problems solvers, approachable and available, supportive and understanding.

There are various features that people could combine into an effective program:

• Formal vs. Informal or Spontaneous

• Long vs. Short Term

• On Site vs. Long Distance

• Interactive vs. Observational

• Present Day vs. Historical

• Instructor Mentor vs. Peer Mentor vs. Work-force Mentor

• One vs. Multiple Mentors or a Team

Topics to discuss:

• Topics pertaining to the personal lives of mentees

• Topics involving general school-related matters

• Topics concerning graduate school

• Topics oriented toward career matters