PATHways - American College of Veterinary Pathologists

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Volume 3, Issue 1 Page 2 Mentoring: A former mentee’s reflections Contributed by Dr. Anoop Kavirayani, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine The teacher is the prior form, the taught is the posterior form, learning is the intermediate form and knowledge is the connection. Thus one should meditate upon knowledge. (The Upanishads) Mentoring can be thought of as an augmentation of the learning process that results in the enrichment of a mentee’s knowledge in that discipline or pursuit. The mentee and mentor are integral components of such a mentoring equation that consists of dynamic impartation and imbibition of skill sets necessary for success in professional practice. In more specific terms, the Oxford Dictionary of Human Resource Management (© Oxford University Press, 2010) defines mentoring as “the process, whereby a senior employee takes an active role in developing a junior colleague. Typically, this occurs at managerial level or amongst professions. The mentor provides advice on how the mentee can develop his or her skills, competencies, knowledge, and experience in order to progress along a successful career path. As well as giving advice, the mentor might also prove useful in providing contacts that help the mentee to engage in the process of networking.” This definition seems to readily apply to Pathology training programs in which practicing Pathologists and Pathology educators facilitate in various ways, the favorable metamorphosis of students to Pathologists through the critical stage of residency. With the above perspective, it seems appropriate to reflect on the mentee side of the equation as applicable to Pathology mentoring. Once students transform to residents, they typically become units of a smaller, much more interconnected training group in which timed lectures and tailored laboratory sessions are no longer staples, but vital supplements. Instruction in Pathology as it happens becomes the staple. Mentees can make the most of “instruction in Pathology as it happens” by realizing that Pathologists vary in their styles of practice and instruction. They will find great diversity in mentoring styles and outputs and it is only natural that different styles and outputs will suit mentees of different aspirations and mindsets. As illustrated in the opening quote, the primary focus should then be on the dynamic flow of knowledge and sustained enrichment of skill sets. Resources and logistics permitting, mentees should try to develop mentoring relationships with multiple mentors in different capacities. In addition to primary mentors, namely the Pathology faculty to whom the mentees are assigned for the duration of the residency program, it would be productive to have secondary and tertiary mentors. Swan, Wyoming James P. Blair http://photography.national geographic.com
Volume 3, Issue 1 Mentoring: A former mentee’s reflections, Cont. Secondary mentors would be visiting faculty or faculty at a collaborating institution with whom the mentees could interact periodically and primary mentors could facilitate such interactions. When feasible, mentees could also interact with tertiary mentors who would be members of organizations such as the American College of Veterinary Pathology, American Society of Investigative Pathology and Society of Toxicologic Pathology. Such interactions would typically be remote (electronic / telephonic) and should ensure that conflicts of interest are avoided. Annual and regional meetings could serve as venues of periodic follow-up on tertiary mentoring interactions. Through all these possibilities, mentees could prudently take it upon themselves to find the “intuitioninstruction equilibrium,” and assimilate and integrate as much as they can of the various styles and skill sets in line with their aspirations and long-term goals. I’ll now conclude my reflections and suggestions as a former mentee with the hope of transforming myself into a mentor. With a final note of gratitude to those who have mentored me in Pathology I wish all Pathology mentees-to-be the very best in finding productive “knowledge connections.” Cormorant Josh Exell http:// photography.national geographic.com “The capacity to blunder slightly is the real marvel of DNA. Without this special attribute, we would still be anaerobic bacteria and there would be no music” - Lewis Thomas (American physician, author of “The Lives of Cells: Notes of a Biology Watcher”) Page 3
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PATHways - American College of Veterinary Pathologists

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