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American Academy of Forensic SciencesYoung Forensic Scientists Forum

Young Forensic Scientists Forum Newsletter - May 1999

AAFS Mentor Program:  Being Successful As A Mentor
by Paul E. Kish, Mentor Program Chairman
The AAFS Mentor Program was designed with the young forensic scientist in mind. This program brings scientists with limited amounts of experience into direct contact with seasoned scientists who have amassed an enormous amount of experience and knowledge. Working in direct contact with those who are actively involved in the forensic sciences should prove to be a beneficial and rewarding experience.    
As a mentoree, you should have a clear objective as to what you would like to acquire from the Mentor Program and your mentor. Your objective may be as simple as needing an AAFS Fellow to introduce you to people at AAFS meetings. We all know how intimidating a first meeting may be. Others may have an objective of acquiring a mentor to assist with a specific research project. The more information you supply to the Mentor Program, the better we will be able to serve you and your needs.   

The Mentor Program is like any other program or committee, in that you reap what you sow. Your mentor is guided by your needs. You must take the initiative to contact and maintain contact with your mentor. Mentors are a precious commodity. They have volunteered their time and resources to assist you in your endeavors and are provided at the onset with all the information our Program has compiled about you. The mentors are told that it is not their responsibility to “hunt down” their mentorees.     

As a young forensic scientist, you must realize that nothing comes without plenty of hard work and initiative. You need to become as active as possible with AAFS. The opportunities are there to become involved by attending the Young Forensic Scientists Forum, attending section business meetings and volunteering for committee work. Make yourself known by submitting abstracts, presenting original research and by volunteering to be session moderators for your section. Your Mentor cannot be with you every minute, and you need to realize that you need to introduce yourself to as many people as possible.    

As a mentoree you must be honest with yourself. Do you really need a mentor at this time? Can you devote the time to building a mentor/mentoree partnership? If, after acquiring a mentor, circumstances within your life have changed, you must take the initiative to convey this information to your mentor. Mentors realize that circumstances may arise that will force you to discontinue the program. It is your responsibility to be straight forward with your mentor, rather than employing the “dropping off the face of the earth” technique. Once the doors are opened for you in the forensic science discipline, you do not want to abruptly close them or “burn any bridges” along your way.   

In summary, to be successful in the Mentor Program, mentorees need to:

•    have a clear objective as what they would like     to acquire from their mentor.
•    have a great deal of personal initiative.
•    provide as much information about themselves as possible to the Mentor Program.
•    respect the fact that mentors are volunteers and should be respected for their efforts.
•    realize this Program’s objective is not to assist    mentorees in securing employment.
•    understand that their success in this program will  be proportionate to the amount of effort they put        forth.
•    become and stay involved within the AAFS.
•    be honest with themselves and their mentor.

 

Copyright © 1999 Young Forensic Scientists Forum / American Academy of Forensic Sciences