Jane Scherr photo. While faculty members and researchers are well versed in the traditional academic mentor relationships, the concept is not as familiar in the non-academic ranks. Mentoring a staff intern can have benefits for the department, the mentor and, of course, the intern. The Staff Internship Program in Human Resources is currently inviting managers, staff professionals and faculty to apply for funding to sponsor a staff internship. Mentors sponsor motivated employees to become interns in their departments for six months to a year.
Mentors play many roles for their interns, everything from coach and teacher to career adviser.
Diggs mentors staff intern Heather Taylor. Mentors need to have patience and good communication skills, be accessible, offer constructive and on-going feedback, and share their thinking as well as expertise. Those who have served as mentors in the past cite many benefits to taking on a staff intern. The mentor and sponsoring department are able to accomplish important projects and gain new perspective through the eyes of the intern. Mentoring is also a valuable opportunity to broaden managerial skills.