Frequently Asked Questions about Peer Mentoring
Please find answers to a range of frequently asked questions below which may assist you with your understanding of peer mentoring and deciding whether you wish to process in accessing the support of a peer mentor.
What is peer mentoring?
Mentoring is a professional tool that seeks to improve performance by offering challenge and support. It creates an opportunity to consider what you can do to support your personal professional development. Peer mentoring means this time to think is offered by a peer in your professional environment who has also received this training, and the support you offer is mutual.
Why is it important?
As we move through our careers’ we need to be proficient at all sorts of complex decision making. Peer mentoring is one way of building safety and professionalism around that and is therefore a discipline which can serve you well throughout your whole career, not just during training.
How is mentoring different to talking to my friends or family?
Mentoring sessions are confidential. Your mentor won’t judge you or give you advice. Your mates, partner or team-member all tend to have another agenda for you, however well meaning, and this can sometimes get in the way of real clarity about your situation. Your mentor will support you, and challenge you if necessary, to help you reach a conclusion that is helpful and meaningful to you. Mentoring is also holistic – mentoring recognises that we are all more than our job titles, so you can bring anything which you feel is impacting on your ability to be present and get your job done.
What sort of things do mentees talk about in their mentoring sessions?
All sorts of things, in fact there is no such thing as a ‘normal’ mentoring session. A few examples might be:
- issues around the content of work (clinical learning/CPD, appraisal, time management)
- issues around career progression (next job, aspirations, additional roles, portfolio development)
- issues around life which might impact on the ability to manage work (childcare, relationships, caring responsibilities)
- new challenges (presentations, public speaking opportunities, publications)
- change management (navigation of new roles, new organisations, new pathways)
How long do people typically meet for in a peer mentoring session?
It varies according to how much time you have available but is mutually agreed and is a professional commitment, so it is important to a) turn up and b) be on time. Sessions can be adjusted to suit the timeframe you have available.
How do I become a peer mentor?
We are piloting the peer mentoring scheme with our trained mentors, and if successful will be looking to provide further training for more PGDiTs to become mentors. We would love to be able to contact those interested once this is made available.
If you would like to register your interest in becoming a peer mentor in future, please complete this short form.