AVF Sumner Session: Lessons in Mentorship and Sponsorship

Passive and Active Mentorship

Passive mentorship happens constantly through the example set by daily attitude and professionalism, while active mentorship requires eliminating personal bias when a trainee seeks career guidance. Getting to know mentees as whole people, including their family goals and interests, and helping them learn to say no are essential to effective guidance.

Building a Research Career Through Mentorship and Sponsorship

Establishing an independent research program takes both mentors, who teach specific skills, and sponsors, who use their reputation to advocate for a mentee, generally over a fifteen-year path from research immersion through a career development award. A cross-functional team of mentors, each filling different needs, was described as more effective than relying on a single relationship.

Avoiding Mentorship Malpractice

Mentorship malpractice can be active, such as stealing ideas or isolating a mentee, or passive, such as lacking the bandwidth to engage. Mentees were encouraged to set boundaries, communicate needs, build a peer team for support, and recognize when it is time to walk away from a mentoring relationship that is not working.