Mentoring in Geoscience

Abstract Mentoring provides early career professionals with personalized learning from experienced senior practitioners. Despite its obvious benefits, mentoring has unexpectedly low engagement rates. This paper identifies some of the issues that hinder engagement and proposes an approach based on modern professional mentoring practice. Mentoring is based on both parties accepting responsibility, in which the mentor facilitates learning rather than provides direct answers. The process can be either formal or informal. Formal mentoring involves structured programs whereas informal mentoring consists of casual discussions. Mentors can help with mentees’ development in a wide range of subject areas, including geoscience technical and professional skills, careers, and personal support. The paper concludes with two sets of questions for self-reflection, one each for mentees and mentors. The questions suggest mentees approach mentoring with curiosity, clear goals, and self-awareness, while mentors should be altruistic, committed, and have strong ethics and interpersonal skills.