Coaching and Mentoring

Mentoring

What is mentoring and how can it help me?

Mentoring is a relationship typically between two colleagues in which the mentor shares their professional knowledge and experiences to enable the mentee to achieve their goals. The mentor will share their key skills, lived experience and personal attributes to help develop the other individual.

At the University of Reading a mentor is typically a more experienced member of staff, who is outside the line management chain of the mentee.

A mentoring relationship will focus on the goals of the mentee and help them to…

• Progress toward and/or achieve their professional goals.
• Develop the individual’s knowledge, skills and capabilities.
• Facilitate the mentee's development, both professionally and personally.

Mentoring isn't about having all of the answers, an effective mentor is there to encourage the individual to think differently and come up with solutions that they may not have yet discovered.

For more information on the mentoring process at the University of Reading, please see our Mentoring Guide.

How do I get matched with a mentor?

If you are interested in working with a mentor, the first step is to review the ‘Is Mentoring Right For Me?’ elearning on UoRLearn. This will give you an overview on the roles and benefits of mentoring as well as the key skills needed for a successful mentoring relationship.

To apply to be matched with a mentor, please complete the Mentoring Application Form and People Development with pair you up with a mentor that best meets your needs.

How do I become a mentor?

If you are interested in becoming a mentor and supporting colleagues across the University, People Development run regular Successful Mentoring Workshops. These sessions give you the tools to become a great mentor.

Once completed, you can join our pool of mentors by filling out Mentoring Pool Details Form and People Development will match you with a mentee who would benefit from your experience and expertise.

You will also be added to the Coaching & Mentoring Network, where you will have access to ongoing support, resources and the opportunity to connect with other mentors across the University.

Other mentoring opportunities

Find out more about the University's mentoring schemes for its Academic Staff, Research Staff and Professional and Managerial Staff.

Details about the eligibility for each scheme are contained within the document.

Coaching

What is coaching?

Coaching is a process that allows an individual to reflect and gain awareness of who they are, what is important to them, their strengths, challenges, options open to them and what action to take in order to make the changes they want in their work. 

Internal coaching network

The University has an internal coaching network which provides coaching for staff. Colleagues who are part of the internal network all hold at least one professionally accredited coaching qualification and sign up to a strict code of Code of Practice including confidentiality. Coaching typically takes place over three sessions although there is the option to extend for a further three sessions, if appropriate.

To request coaching, please contact People Development peopledevelopment@reading.ac.uk in  for further details and an application form.