Mentorship Program Charter

Information about the Mentorship Program

The Mentorship Program's goal is to connect Library and Information Science students with library or information professionals.
The key characteristics of the program are facilitating knowledge exchange and providing guidance to current students entering the profession.

Librarians or Information Professionals who would like to provide support and coaching for an interested student.
Librarians or Information Professionals with an interest in contributing to the education of a future professional.

UWO MLIS students who would like advice and guidance about library and information careers from professionals in the field.
UWO MLIS students who are interested in making professional connections in the library and information science workforce.

Communication between mentor and mentee should occur at least twice per term.
The mentor should try to respond to the mentee within two weeks.
The mode of communication is at the discretion of the participants but several effective methods include emails, phone calls, and lunch or coffee meetings.
Suggested discussion topics and activities include:
- resume review;
- course recommendations;
- industry overviews;
- professional trends;
- current issues;
- job shadowing;
- library tours;
- attending conferences;
- introductions to other professionals in the field.
Should either party have any concern about the mentoring relationship, the administrators are available for advice.
Students who take part in the Mentorship Program should consider returning to the program as a Mentor.

Demonstrate your openness to coaching and feedback.
Listen carefully to your mentor’s advice and incorporate those insights that make sense for your career.
Share with your mentor the advice that made the most difference for you and why.
Remember that your mentor is a busy professional and, while excited about mentoring, can only give an established portion of their time.

E-mail the CLA student chapter Mentorship committee, at westernmentorship@gmail.com.

E-mail the CLA student chapter Mentorship committee at westernmentorship@gmail.com.