Discussion Thread

  • 1.  Thursdays @ 3 - Setting expectations around mentoring

    Posted 01-20-2022 08:37 PM
    Thank you to @Lynn Mayo, @Steven McCutcheon, and @Christopher Medora for sharing your insights on mentoring during today's Thursday @ 3 virtual roundtable.

    We had a few questions we weren't able to answer on the call so I wanted to share them here. I look forward to reading your responses!

    1. ​Are there specific questions a mentee needs to ask his/her mentor?

    2. ​Is there a place for a retired civil engineer with significant management experience to act as a mentor.?

    Thank you to everyone who joined the discussion today! I hope you take some time to check out ASCE Mentor Match. Happy Mentoring Month! 
    ​    ​

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    Tirza Austin
    Senior Manager, Online Community
    American Society of Civil Engineers
    1801 Alexander Bell Drive
    Reston, VA 20191
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  • 2.  RE: Thursdays @ 3 - Setting expectations around mentoring

    Posted 01-24-2022 10:49 PM
    I enjoyed being part of the virtual roundtable with @Steven McCutcheon and @Christopher Medora.   Regarding the first question, I think a mentee needs to identify what they want from the mentor and clearly indicate that.  They should then ask if that aligns with the mentor's expectations.  If the two align, then the discussion should flow easily.  My experience is that when the mentor isn't sure what the mentee wants from the relationship, it's often difficult.  So ask and talk about that up front.​​

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    Lynn Mayo P.E., M.ASCE
    CEO
    Potomac MD
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Thursdays @ 3 - Setting expectations around mentoring

    Posted 01-27-2022 12:20 PM
    Regarding the first question, at times, the expectations were not aligned because one of the persons was not really listening. When meeting with the mentor, the mentee can always ask the mentor if it is okay to set a timer say 10-15 mins for him/her/them to describe the problem/issue without disruption, and ask the mentor to write down the questions and thoughts while listening such that they can discuss these questions and thoughts after the first 10-15 mins. This request may seem inconsiderate, however, from my own experience as a mentor, this act can totally improve the mentor-mentee conversation dynamics. I learned that at times a mentor would start giving advice without pausing in order to understand problem. Thank you!

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    Silky S. K. Wong, Ph.D., S.E., P.E., CEng MICE, LEED AP
    ______________________
    The Dow Chemical Company
    Civil Engineering Department
    Lead Civil/Structural Engineer TES
    Central Engineering – Houston
    HDC Phone : 281-966-2077
    SSWong@...
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Thursdays @ 3 - Setting expectations around mentoring

    Posted 01-26-2022 07:59 AM
    On question 2 there is a definite need for experienced mentors in ASCE Mentor Match especially to address whether to concentrate long term on technical expertise, management, or a combination of both usually 2-3 years after beginning a career in CE to 1-5 years after licensure. 
    This might make a good topic for an upcoming panel discussion.

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    Steven McCutcheon Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE(Ret.), F.EWRI, F.ASCE
    Nat Expert, Sr Envir Engr Retired
    Athens GA
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    Original Message


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