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Centering on Mentoring
APA President Gerald P. Koocher, PhD, established a presidential task force on mentoring to connect psychology graduate students and early career psychologists with more experienced senior psychologists in a range of mentoring relationships that cut across areas of scientific and professional interests.
The mission of the task force is to work with organizations and individuals to facilitate mentoring relationships both formal and informal; and to leave structures in place that will sustain mentoring as an integral part of being a psychologist. To accomplish this goal, the task force plans to generate potential programming appropriate for State, Provincial, and Territorial Psychological Associations and Divisions along with diverse educational, research, and policy outcomes, and web-based networking. To gather support for this endeavor, the Task Force has established partnerships with the Policy and Planning Board as well as other Boards and Committees. There will be special convention programs stemming from this initiative.
Mentoring is a professional relationship with a focus on personal and professional development. It may occur through various communication venues including, but not limited to face-to-face interactions, phone, or email. The duration and intensity of the relationship may vary depending on the dynamic of the match and the needs of the individuals involved. The program emphasizes mutual respect with a particular focus on ethics and etiquette. The task force has agreed to adopt the terms "mentor" and "mentee," and not "protégé."
If you have any questions or comments regarding this initiatve, please email.
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