January is National Mentoring Month, and the ZSR Librarians’ Assembly Mentoring Committee is encouraging ZSR Librarians to share their mentoring stories! Look for more mentoring-focused posts this month and more programming from the mentoring committee in the coming months!
As the benefactor of two mentors in my three years at ZSR, I’m compelled to share my most recent endeavor and relationship during Mentoring Month. As a relentless planner, I requested a mentor one year ahead for my assistant-to-associate librarian promotion candidacy. For instance, “Dossier Prep” has been an entry on my recurring task list since about 3 months after my first day at ZSR. Even as a dedicated task manager, however, I couldn’t help but think there may be additional guidance available – even one year out. Furthermore, between classes, research, workshops, and conference presentations, I already know how busy my 2025 Spring and Summer will be.
Although promotion mentors are a normal occurrence at ZSR, I felt as if I was going out on a limb asking for support this early. Lo and behold, there was no such limb and not one question asked. Within a week, the Mentoring Committee paired me with Molly Keener, Director of Digital Initiatives & Scholarly Communication!
Where it’s been: Evaluation Factors
To kick off this partnership, Molly and I discussed expectations, a feasible meeting schedule, and content for each session with evaluation factors driving the framework. Each meeting consisted of a deep dive into each factor including its definition and my specific CV items suitable for a strong submission:
- September – Kick off Meeting
- October – Librarianship
- November – SAPA
- December – Service
Where it’s going: Letter Development
After a well-deserved holiday break, we’re picking back up this month with the focus on feedback relative to each section of the summary letter. One week prior to each of these meetings, I will submit a draft of the section under review to Molly along with the respective documents:
- January – Librarianship
- February – SAPA
- March – Service
- April – Introduction & Closing
See you in September!
Dare I say we may actually deserve the summer off (of dossier planning anyway) due to our structured planning? It’s a definite possibility. Perhaps we’ll hold a review session before the September submission. The beauty is that I can take comfort in knowing that Molly has been strategically involved in my planning process, and this final review would only require a light touch at a time when a new semester is amping up.
This preparation model and relationship has definite reboot potential when the time comes for my associate-to-full and full-to-senior promotion planning as I’m only anticipating the feeling of those stakes being a tad bit higher. Thanks to the Mentoring Committee for organizing and supporting this and other mentoring efforts at ZSR!
The only other order of business is to – with your help – name this partnership. In my opinion, blended is the only way to go. Molleen maybe? What about Kolleener? #LetMeKnowintheComments
6 Comments on ‘Happy Mentoring Month – Promotion Mentoring with a Twist!’
This is a great idea. thank you!
Colleen, thanks for this thoughtful post! I really appreciate y’all sharing how you framed each meeting and developed monthly plans for the Fall and Spring semesters!
Thank you for sharing Colleen! I love the approach the two of you took.
What a wonderful experience! Thank you for sharing. I know this is one example of how to structure these kinds of experiences, but if it’s one that proves effective (clearly it has), then I’d suggest that we make it an exemplar that others might consider adopting.
This is wonderful, Colleen! This is an area that I personally consider hard to navigate. Seeing how you have structured it is very helpful!
Colleen, it has been a joy to be your mentor over the past few months and I look forward our work to come to help you prep your dossier! You are ON IT!! And I vote for Kolleener. 😉