Mentoring in the USDA Forest Service: A Survey of Aquatic Professionals

Cerveny, Lee; Baral, Nabin; Penaluna, Brooke; Roper, Brett; Shively, Daniel; Witt, Shelly

doi:10.1093/jofore/fvac043

Mentoring in the USDA Forest Service: A Survey of Aquatic Professionals

Journal Article · Mon Dec 26 04:00:00 EST 2022 · Journal of Forestry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/jofore/fvac043· OSTI ID:2425732

; Baral, Nabin; Penaluna, Brooke; Roper, Brett; Shively, Daniel; Witt, Shelly

Abstract

Mentoring is suggested as an important strategy to promote workplace inclusivity and is shown to be positively associated with high employee morale, yet mentee needs and experiences may not be universal. To evaluate mentoring impacts from the perspective of USDA Forest Service employees, we conducted an online survey of 251 aquatic professionals, including managers and scientists. 70% of respondents had mentors, and mentorship status did not vary across demographic characteristics. Previous mentoring relationships were most frequently identified as “informal” rather than “formal”; female employees were more likely to desire formal mentoring. Mentored respondents found their work more challenging, fulfilling, and valuable than unmentored respondents. Mentees looked for mentors who could provide constructive feedback, speak candidly, use active listening skills, and who cared about their careers. Overall, respondents were satisfied with their mentors’ skills. Despite strong demand for mentoring, access to mentors among aquatic professionals appears low across all categories.

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC)

DOE Contract Number:: SC0014664

OSTI ID:: 2425732

Journal Information:: Journal of Forestry, Journal Name: Journal of Forestry Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 121; ISSN 0022-1201

Publisher:: Society of American Foresters - Oxford University Press

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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