Learning

Learning is the purpose of mentoring. Satisfaction for both mentor and mentee is derived from acquiring the knowledge and skills to enable the mentee to grow and develop.

Learning is both the process and outcome of mentoring. When mentoring young innovators, there will be opportunities to both plan to teach critical inquiry skills and take advantage of teachable moments for reinforcing important inquiry skills,such as asking the right questions to hone their ideas or searching the U.S. Patent Office database to ensure their idea has not been patented by someone else).

As a mentor you need to understand that:

• Not every mentee learns the same way or at the same speed.
• Your mentees may not learn in the same way that you do.
• Learning is more effective when it is relevant and timely.
• Mentees want practical tips and tools that they can apply quickly.
• When mentees apply what they are learning, it reinforces learning.
• Mentees have an inherent desire to prove themselves to their mentor.