ABOG Hosts Forums on Mentorship Program

The campus community is invited to hear about the Academic Business Officers Group (ABOG) Mentorship Program at brown bag forums. The next sessions will be conducted from noon to one on: * Friday, Feb. 2, in room S 118 in the Medical Sciences Building on the Parnassus campus and
* Tuesday, Feb. 6 in room 3208, Building 30 at San Francisco General Hospital.
The year-long ABOG Mentorship Program pairs high-level, seasoned UCSF managers with members of the campus who are interested in pursuing specific career goals, expanding their professional network and receiving feedback and support that could help them to better navigate the UCSF system. To get more information about the program, UCSF Today asked ABOG mentorship program co-chairs Vicky Brown-Ravano and Nanette Grimm to answer these questions. Q: How long has ABOG offered the mentoring program and about how many people have participated in it throughout the years? A: The mentorship program was started in 1988 by an ad hoc committee that included Carolyn Koster, Nancy Nienhius, Martha Hooven, Susan O'Hara and Susan Eveleth. The committee thought that pairing veteran managers with junior managers would be a valuable way to nurture their professional development and foster understanding of the University. This will be the 12th UCSF ABOG Mentorship program. About 200 people have participated since it started. Q: How has the program changed over the years? What's new this year? A: Each cycle, the committee reviews recommendations made by past participants, both mentors and mentees. We try to implement those recommendations that will meet the changing needs of the participants and of the University. Recognizing the important role that the mentors play in the program, one of the new activities we are planning for them this year is a kickoff luncheon. Q: How do you know that the program has been successful at UCSF? A: Evaluations by participants have been extremely positive. Q: How is the program financially supported at UCSF? A: The program is supported by the Academic Business Officers' Group. Q: What are some of the benefits of mentoring? A: Both mentors and mentees gain from the experience and one another's perspective. Among the benefits most cited are: * Getting a different perspective on how things work at UCSF. * Becoming better informed about the wide variety of career paths available at UCSF. * Developing professionally through individual coaching. * Expanding professional networks. * Preparing future UCSF leaders. * Nurturing talented employees. Related Links: Academic Business Officers Group Mentorship Program Celebrated
UCSF Today, Jan. 21, 2004