Mentoring at CCOM

Mentoring at the Carver College of Medicine

The University of Iowa places a strong emphasis on mentorship focusing on the growth and development of individuals. Mentoring can be formal or informal and offers professional, career, and emotional support. Mentoring duration varies based on goals, lasting from days to years.

Mentors include peers, faculty, staff, and community members with more experience in specific areas. These relationships aim to share knowledge and skills. Mentorship is reciprocal; both mentor and mentee learn and benefit from each other.  

icon of a document with a magnifying glassMentorship plays a crucial role in the success of academic careers, especially in medicine. While much guidance exists for mentors, this resource empowers mentees to take an active role in cultivating effective mentoring relationships. By applying strategies like "managing up," mentees can take charge of their development, ensuring a productive and fulfilling partnership with their mentors. 

A timeline of mentoring activities for medical students

Opportunities For Mentoring

Pre-clinical

Clinical

Peer Mentorship (Learning Communities)

Clerkships—Resident and Staff Physicians

Learning Community Faculty Co-Directors

Career/Specialty Mentor

Faculty

Peer Mentorship—Giving Back

Distinction Tracks

Specialty Specific Academic Advisor (SSFA)

Career/Specialty Mentor

Learning Community Faculty Co-Directors

Summer Research Fellowship

Distinction Tracks

Early Clinical Experiences (ECE)

CRISP

Medical Education Community Orientation (MECO)

Research