It all depends: Reflections on the art of mentoring PhD students in public affairs

ABSTRACT Systematically examining the mentoring process for PhD students’ needs to recognize that it has characteristics of unit/small batch production and relies heavily on the coproduction of the PhD student. This article examines one mentor’s experiences with 80+ PhD students over an extended period of time using these conceptual lenses. Three general principles or “mind-sets” that serve as an overall guide to the process. First, mentors need to take cognizance of their strengths and weaknesses as scholars and potential mentors. Second, mentors need to recognize that students vary in skills, personality and responsiveness; and these factors need to be considered in successful mentor relationships. Third, humility is valuable since not everything will work every time. Mentoring is a process where adjustments need to be continually made as the student, the mentor, and their relationship evolves. Ten specific tools are discussed in relation to these mind-sets.