TEL 431: Learning in Workplaces

L4 Activity

Mentoring
Construct: Developmental Network
Name: Kayla Meredith
Date:11-6-2017
Your Assigned Facilitator: Workman

NOTE: Please bold all your responses so nothing is missed when your work is assessed.

Terminology
Orient yourself to the following concepts related to mentoring through a quick google search and
defining these terms in your own words: (2 pts)
Mentor: a mentor is someone that you look up to and someone that can help you
Mentee: someone who is being trained or mentored by a mentor
Protg: someone who is guided by someone older and more well trained
Reciprocal mentoring: when mentoring becomes a mutual relationship so both
partners are helping one another
Reverse mentoring: when someone older is paired with someone that is younger
than them

Also, you will need to read the following article in preparation for the L4 activity:

Higgins, M. C., Kram, K. E. (2001). Reconceptualizing mentoring at work: A developmental

network perspective. Academy of Management Review 26(2), 264-288. Available at
http://www.jstor.org/stable/259122
Or through the ASU library:
http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/docview/210951325/fulltextPDF/7873AD523A4
CCAPQ/12?accountid=4485

In the article, the authors seek to redefine mentoring by applying literature that views mentoring
as individuals receiving mentoring assistance from many people at any one point in time,
including senior colleagues, peers, family, and community members. Embracing this theory,
which incorporates social network research, may help you begin to establish a developmental
network that is conducive to the 21st century workplace, geared toward the goal of having strong
ties with diverse network groups. This type of developmental network is known as an
entrepreneurial typology.

MY MENTORS (5 pts)
Provide a list of 5 individuals who have served as mentors to you in the past year, for either
personal or professional reasons.
Mentors Name How do you Describe the Describe a
know this circumstances that lead specific
mentor? to you having a conversation or
mentoring conversation situation where
How long have with this person? you gained new
you known information.
him/her? What new ways
of thinking
emerged for you?
What new
behaviors did
you explore
afterward? Be
specific.

#1 Ben Meredith This mentor Ben is someone that My husband

is my will listen to me. helped me
husband. He Although he thinks I decide when I
is someone am crazy sometimes he was going to
that has been will sit there and listen enter my
there for me. to what I have to say. It teacher's
He helps me is nice to have credential
get through someone I can rely on program in
the rough to talk to. California. I
times. would not have
been able to
decide without
him.

#2 Melanie Pile My mom is My mom is someone My mom has

someone that that I can talk to about helped me
has helped me everything. She is decide if I
immensely. someone that will not should get my
She has judge. Instead, she will German
encouraged help me figure out my Shepherd or
me along and next move and what not. If it were
has been my needs to be done. not for her I
main support would not have
system. gotten my dog
who I love.

#3 Scott Pile My dad is My dad has kept me My dad is

someone that going. He is someone someone that I
 has always that has put a lot of can talk to
been rough on pressure on me about finances.
me. He just through the years to do I not only talk to
wants the best good. Without him I him but he
for me. If it would not be the same arranges for
were not for person. people to meet
him pushing with me.
me I would not
be who I am
today.

#4 Amanda Pile My sister has My sister is someone My sister is

helped me get that can listen to all of someone that I
through some my stories . She is can talk to if my
crazy times someone that does not husband and I
when no one judge. I can come to are having a
else could her with whatever story disagreement.
help me. She or issue that I have. She helps me
is someone realize what I
that I go to for need to do.
everything.

#5 Austin Pile My brother is Austin is someone that My brother has

someone that will always give me an helped me
will give his answer whenever I decide which
opinion when need one. My other car to get. I was
you need it. members in my family stuck between
He has helped will beat around the two cars and he
me make bush but not give me helped me
tough an answer. decide. He
decisions this helped me
past year. make the best
decision.

TYPES OF MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS Based on the Higgins and Kram article, what are
the differences and similarities between a traditional mentoring relationship and a
developmental network? To depict your answer, complete the table below. Be comprehensive.
(6 pts)

Traditional Mentoring Similarities between Developmental Network

Relationship traditional mentoring and a
developmental network

In this case, someone is In this case, my family is In this case, I can work with
helping another that knows
less than them. For
example, when I volunteer
in the classroom the
teacher is my mentor. She
helps me know what I am
doing right and what I am
doing wrong.
helping me solve my
problem while with the
traditional relationship only
the person who I am
working for can tell me
what I am doing right and
what I am doing wrong.
my entire family to help me
learn about finances. I am
the youngest one in the
family and they all know a
lot more than me.

My husband knows a lot My husband is someone My parents have helped me

more regarding history. So,
I decided to have him teach
me about it. He was able to
educate me on something
he knew more about.
that helped me learn about
history. Without him I
would know very little. He
was the only one that I
needed to teach me in this
case. My parents helped
me through the process of
buying a car because they
are much older and are
more experienced with this.
learn how to purchase my
first car. My parents were
there for me when I was
going through the entire
process to make sure I did
not do anything crazy.

My mom is someone that
knows a lot about finances
because she has had a lot
more practice. I have had
her teach me how much I
should save a month for
example.
My mom helped me with
my finances because she
knew a lot about it and I
trust her judgement. When
it comes to the classroom I
know the more people I
have mentor me the more I
will learn.
My mom and her friend
Tonya whom are both
teachers have helped
mentor me on what I can do
better in the classroom and
what habits I should
continue to do.

Based on the Higgins & Kram article, define the following terms, in your own concepts that
determine relationship strength (2 pts):
emotional affect: emotions that are shown through gestures
Reciprocity: exchanging benefits to help others
frequency of communication: communicating with someone often
relationship ties: how you are connected with someone else; what relationship do
you have

ANALYSIS OF MY MENTORS
#1 Mentors Name (5 pts): Benjamin Meredith

Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.
My husband is a Marine. With that being said, he knows a lot about history. He used to
look at me like I was crazy because I did not know a lot about history. Therefore, I asked
him to teach me so that I could know more. Through his teaching I have gained a lot
more knowledge.

Diversity:
To what social system does person belong (e.g., family, work, church, friends)? Explain.
Ben is my husband. We met a year and a half ago. We got engaged 6 months later and
then got married 3 months later.

How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.

My husband is connected to all of the mentors that I listed. Everyone that I listed is part
of my family because they are all so important to me.

Relationship Strength:
Refer to the Higgins and Kram article for review of concepts related to relationship strength.
Based on how Higgins and Kram define emotional affect, describe the emotional effect between
you and this mentor.

My husband and I really know how to help each other get through various situations. I
would not be the same person I am today without him. He helps me get through the
rough times. Although he is my husband he has taught me a lot of educational things
that I did not know prior to meeting him.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define reciprocity, explain the level of reciprocity between you
and this mentor.

Reciprocity is achieved through this relationship because by him teaching me about

history we are able to have better conversations. I have an easier time understanding his
work situations because I understand history more.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define frequency of communication, what is the frequency of
communication between you and this mentor?

Ben and I are constantly communicating. We do not always communicate with one
another when something makes us upset. However, this is something that we have been
doing a lot better on.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define relationship ties, do you see your relationship with this
person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship? Provide an example that would illustrate this.
My husband and I are someone that relies heavily on the other. We look up to each other
and constantly want feedback. I know when we dont get the feedback that we want the
other one gets frustrated.

#2 Mentors Name (5 pts): Melanie Pile

Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.

My mom is a Teacher. Since my mom is in the profession that I am pursuing there is a

lot of information and knowledge that I can gain from her. She has helped teach me the
things that I need to know. My mom has helped mentor me for years.

Diversity:
To what social system does person belong (e.g., family, work, church, friends)? Explain.

This person is my mom. My mom has always been able to answer all of the questions
that I have regarding teaching. Since she is a teacher she is a mentor that I will be using
for the next few year. She knows what teachers should and should not do.

How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.

My mom is connected to all of my other mentors. My mom is either a mother, wife, or

mother in law to my other mentors.

Relationship Strength:
Refer to the Higgins and Kram article for review of concepts related to relationship strength.
Based on how Higgins and Kram define emotional affect, describe the emotional effect between
you and this mentor.

My mom and I have a very close knit bond. We understand each other. We both know
what the other needs to be happy. We have always had a close bond that no one else will
understand. I am able to go to my mom for everything.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define reciprocity, explain the level of reciprocity between you
and this mentor.

My mom and I both love to bounce ideas off of one another. This means that when we are
trying to do something creative or dont know what to do we bounce ideas off of one
another to see what we are going to do and how to approach it.
Based on how Higgins and Kram define frequency of communication, what is the frequency of
communication between you and this mentor?

My mom and I communicate every day. Life would not be the same if I did not hear from
my mom every day. Communication is key in a good relationship. Since I am married and
live far away communicating with my mom is the only option that I have.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define relationship ties, do you see your relationship with this
person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship? Provide an example that would illustrate this.

My mom and I have a strong tie relationship. My mom is my best friend and that will
never change. She is someone that I can rely on. We get frustrated with one another at
times but that is how every relationship is.

#3 Mentors Name (5 pts): Scott Pile

Area of Support:
Does this person provide career or psychosocial support? Explain.

Scott is my dad. My dad is someone that was in the Military. He is able to teach me a lot
about my husband's job. He has helped me tremendously through my husband's
deployment. He has been able to make me feel better and at times made me more
nervous. If it were not for him I would know little about the Marine Corp.

Diversity:
To what social system does person belong (e.g., family, work, church, friends)? Explain.

Scott is my dad. He has been there to help me throughout my entire life. He has
constantly encouraged me and put my back in my place.

How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.

My dad is connected to all of my other mentors. He is someone that my entire family

looks up to for advice and/or any help. He is someone that has an opinion about
everything and is not afraid to share it.

Relationship Strength:
Refer to the Higgins and Kram article for review of concepts related to relationship strength.
Based on how Higgins and Kram define emotional affect, describe the emotional effect between
you and this mentor.

My dad and I have a very different and unique relationship. My dad is someone that is not
afraid to share his opinion even if you do not like it. However, if it were not for him being
this way I would not be who I am today. He is someone that has pushed me to be the best
that I can be.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define reciprocity, explain the level of reciprocity between you
and this mentor.

My dad helps me and I help him. Sometimes I share things that he did not know.
However, most of the time he is the one that is giving me the information that I need to be
successful.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define frequency of communication, what is the frequency of
communication between you and this mentor?

My dad and I do not communicate as much as my mom and I communicate. I do not talk
to my dad about a lot of things because that is not the relationship that we formed. We
have a relationship that tends to be more serious.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define relationship ties, do you see your relationship with this
person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship? Provide an example that would illustrate this.

I see this relationship as a relationship that is strong. My dad and I have a unique
relationship but I could not imagine it any other way. He is the one that has helped me
become the way that I am. Without him I would be a completely different person.

#4 Mentors Name (5 pts): Austin Pile

Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.

Austin is my brother. Austin is someone that I can always go to for advice. He is

someone that will give it to you despite what you think. I like that about him. Sometimes I
just need a truthful answer and he always gives it to me.
Diversity:
To what social system does person belong (e.g., family, work, church, friends)? Explain.

Austin is my older brother. My brother is 24. He is in the Military. He is someone that I do

not get to see a lot but he is someone that will always text me back.

How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.

My brother is connected to all of my mentors. I set it up this way because all of them help
me so much in my life and have such an impact on my decisions.

Relationship Strength:
Refer to the Higgins and Kram article for review of concepts related to relationship strength.
Based on how Higgins and Kram define emotional affect, describe the emotional effect between
you and this mentor.

My brother and I do not get to see each other too often. However, we make sure that we
text a lot so that we always know what is going on in one another's lives. Just because
we do not get to see each other often does not mean that we cant still talk everyday.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define reciprocity, explain the level of reciprocity between you
and this mentor.

My brother and I gain so much from each other. I learn from him because he is a little
older and has been there and done that. He learns from me because I am younger and am
going through various thing that did not happen while he was in college for example.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define frequency of communication, what is the frequency of
communication between you and this mentor?

My brother and I do not get to see each other often therefore, all of our communication is
done over the phone. We make sure that we facetime and text whenever we get a chance.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define relationship ties, do you see your relationship with this
person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship? Provide an example that would illustrate this.

My brother and I have a very strong relationship. We do not get to see each other often
therefore when we do get to see each other it makes it that much better. We utilize our
phones to communicate.
#5 Mentors Name (5 pts): Amanda Pile

Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.

My sister is my go to person when I have a story or something that I need to talk about.
She does not judge and will sit and listen to my entire story. Then she will offer her
opinion.

Diversity:
To what social system does person belong (e.g., family, work, church, friends)? Explain.

Amanda is my twin sister. She is someone that I go to for everything. I can tell her
everything. She is the person that I go to for all of my needs.

How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.

My sister is connected to all of my other mentors because she is part of my family. I have
a very close knit family. They all know each other and get along.

Relationship Strength:
Refer to the Higgins and Kram article for review of concepts related to relationship strength.
Based on how Higgins and Kram define emotional affect, describe the emotional effect between
you and this mentor.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define reciprocity, explain the level of reciprocity between you
and this mentor.

My sister and I are twins therefore, we go through the same things at the same time. We
have a lot in common because of that. We both learn from one another's mistakes and
make sure that we learn from the other. It helps that we are able to go through the same
things at the same time.

Based on how Higgins and Kram define frequency of communication, what is the frequency of
communication between you and this mentor?

My sister and I just like the rest of my family communicate everyday. My sister and I are
always discussing the things that we need to do and change. She is my mentor and I am
also her mentor.
Based on how Higgins and Kram define relationship ties, do you see your relationship with this
person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship? Provide an example that would illustrate this.

My sister and I have a strong relationship. For example, if I am in an argument with my

husband I am able to talk to her about it and she can offer her insight. This helps me get
through situations.

REFLECT
Reflect about the mentor who has had the most lasting impact on your development. What
factors from the Higgins and Kram article on developmental network do you think are the most
influential in supporting career change, personal learning, organizational commitment, and/or
work satisfaction? Include 3 in-text citations from the Higgins and Kram article and 1 (or more)
outside resource. Add these sources to the reference list below. (300-400 words) (7 pts):

To me the relationship that I form with someone is very important. A relationship is all
about what you and the other person put into it. I chose to pick all of my family members
as my mentors. They are the only people that I truly trust to know everything. They are
also the only people that I have been close to. I have learned so much from them and for
that I am grateful. My mom and I have a, traditional mentoring relationship to help
enhance career development (Higgins, 2001, Pg. 264). Although my mom and I have a
normal mom and daughter relationship my mom is also able to offer me insight on my
future career. My mom is a teacher and is able to offer all of the information that I am
going to need to know. It is important to remember, a long espoused the benefits of having
a mentoring relationship for an individual's personal and professional development
(Higgins, 2001, Pg. 265). When having a relationship with someone it is important to
understand what others can offer to you. Another thing to remember is that, there is
much to be learned from minority experiences (Higgins, 2001, Pg. 267). The mentors that
I have in my life I feel are there for a reason. All of my family members are able to mentor
me in various ways. I can then do the same for them. My family and I are always learning
from one another and our experiences. Having a close relationship to my mentors is
something that I feel is super beneficial to not only me but my family as well. I would not be
who I am today without my mentors. I would not want to have different mentors in my life
because I feel the ones I have now are the ones that I need.

Your word count: 311

ESTABLISH VIRTUAL MENTORSHIP

NOTE: YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES FOR THIS PART OF THE ACTIVITY, BUILD A LINKEDIN
PROFILE, OR ASK YOUR MENTORS FOR FEEDBACK ON YOUR RESUME.

Choice 1: LinkedIn Profile

Background Information:
LinkedIn is a social networking tool that is more professional than other popular networks such
as Twitter or Facebook, which tend to be more social. LinkedIn is used by professionals to
connect with one another and to stay connected, as a tool when looking for jobs. It is a
searchable web site that is used by many professionals as an online resume, as it contains
education, job experiences, and other professional related events and activities.

An individuals LinkedIn profile can connect to other professionals, giving users the ability to
organize, keep track of, and establish and grow their professional relationships.

Some features of LinkedIn allow users to establish their credibility as a professional by

exchanging information and ideas with colleagues and peers, For example, LinkedIn Groups,
LinkedIn Answers, and LinkedIn Today allow users to participate in trending conversations in
their field.

You should also know that hiring managers and recruiters, worldwide, use LinkedIn to find
potential candidates. They scan the system using key-words searches, so it is important to be
thorough and comprehensive when completing your profile.

Your LinkedIn profile.

Create a LinkedIn profile for yourself, or enhance and update your profile if you already have
one.

This article will provide you with insight: http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2014/10/20/how-

to-create-the-ideal-linkedin-profile/

Your profile should have the following minimal components:

Professional headshot (suggested but optional)
A summary to include your ASU experience as well as a brief description of your future
target profession (2 pts)
Other additional and pertinent information to make a complete and comprehensive
profile, including volunteer experience, internships, work experience, etc. (2 pts)
Request to connect with at least 3 mentors on your list who have LinkedIn accounts. (2
pts)
List their names:
Amanda Pile Connected
Melanie Pile Not Interested
Benjamin Meredith Not interested
 Request to connect with each of your of groupmates. (2 pts)

Retrieve your profile public viewing URL. (Be sure it is the correct URL by looking to see that it
has your name in it. Example: www.linkedin.com/in/teresafoulger/en
Here is a screencast that will teach you how to find the URL
http://screencast.com/t/JwohI3LI1zd).

Paste your public viewing profile here:

www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-meredith-276746150

Choice 2: Get feedback from your Mentors on ways to improve your resume. (8 pts)
Upload your resume to a google doc.
You will need to get feedback from at least 3 of your 5 mentors.

Paste the URL to your original google doc resume here:

https://docs.google.com/a/asu.edu/document/d/1Rzklm-
_znWjAqKh4zZ95182TkZWnnxyGbm6lhh_l7CE/edit?usp=sharing
Email your mentors and request their feedback on improvements.
Paste the email to your mentors requesting feedback here:
Note the feedback you attained:

Mentors Name Feedback provided

Amanda Pile Remove working with children in the first sentence of your skills
section. Break up the second sentence under referee. Under Park
Avenue you do not need to give examples of what you did. The
interviewer can ask for examples

Melanie Pile Break up last sentence in profile. Park Avenue 2005 not 2003.Add
additionally instead of twice in a row. Library should not be
capitalized. Dont start last three sentences with I am

Benjamin Meredith Change the font so all of the fonts match. Some are bolded and
others are not. Fix line spacing. Some is 1.5 spaced while the rest
is not. Make sure all line spacing is consistent. Otherwise, resume
looks rushed

Paste the URL to your new/revised resume google doc here:

https://docs.google.com/a/asu.edu/document/d/1awj6z7mecQ4lAJO5B_Y6M6PZhBPHWSEfKJ
E5NjTu1qU/edit?usp=sharing
GOALS TO DEVELOP MY DEVELOPMENTAL NETWORK
From the Higgins and Kram reading, summarize why it is desirable to have an entrepreneurial
network, and explain how a developmental network might become an entrepreneurial network.
(100-150 words)
(4 pts):

An entrepreneurial network is something that is wanted amongst business. Why? A

business wants to reach this point because that means that they have formed good
relationships with others. Other businesses can then help one another. When someone
owns a business their end goal is that everyone will know what it is and want to either be
a part of it or be a customer. It is important to network in order to achieve this goal.
Networking is something that can help you form a good relationships with other
businesses. The more networking that you for your business the better.

Word Count:102

Refer to the Higgins and Kram article. What activities might help you strengthen the diversity
within your network? (3 pts)
Things stemming from the article that I could do in a day:
I can be more open to others helping me. I am someone that likes to be independent. I do
not always like the help of others because I want to prove to others that I can do
everything myself.
Things stemming from the article that I will do this month:
One thing that I can do is become better at being social. I am someone that likes to tend
to myself so that I do not have to talk to others. I can work on this.
Things stemming from the article I will do within a year:
I need to be better at networking. I need to get my name out there. I think that I can start
volunteering at more schools to get my name out there.

Refer to the Higgins and Kram article. What activities might help you strengthen the
relationships within your network? (3 pts)
Things I could do in a day:
I need to start talking to others that are different. I need to start hanging out with others
that I normally would not hangout with or work with.
Things I will do this month:
I can start to help those that need my help rather than focusing on myself. It is not fair to
think about myself in a business because we are all working together.
Things I will do within a year:
I would like to work at a school that I originally did not picture myself working at. I want
to open up and become more diverse.
 References (5 pts)
Note: no credit will be given unless your references are formatted per APA. See Owl at Purdue
as a guide.

Higgins, M. C., Kram, K. E. (2001). Reconceptualizing mentoring at work: A developmental

network perspective. Academy of Management Review 26(2), 264-288. Available at
http://www.jstor.org/stable/259122

Professional presentation (professional language, grammar, spelling, word count) (10

pts).
Please proofread your work to be sure it meets university level writing standards. Note that if
your written work does not meet this standard, you will be asked to revise and resubmit within 3
days, and these points will be lost. The Writing Center can provide support. See
https://tutoring.asu.edu/writing-centers for details.