Item: Tinder for Mentors: Examining the Prevalence and Value of Mentorship Relationships Amongst Avalanche Professionals in the United States
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Title: Tinder for Mentors: Examining the Prevalence and Value of Mentorship Relationships Amongst Avalanche Professionals in the United States
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA
Authors:
- Eeva Latosuo [ Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK, USA ]
- Aleph Johnston-Bloom [ Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center, Anchorage, AK, USA ]
- Lynne Wolfe [ American Avalanche Association, Driggs, ID, USA ]
Date: 2016-10-02
Abstract: Anecdotally, mentorship has been referenced as playing a significant role in the avalanche industry in the US for years. However, this has never been explored in a quantitative way. In the winter of 2016, we surveyed the membership of the American Avalanche Association to dig deeper into this topic and see if mentorship is really as important as suggested. We received 498 responses; 281 members answered all the 28 questions. Utilizing the data from the completed surveys we conducted descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis of the open-ended answers to compile our results. 77% of respondents had been mentored and 23% had not; 64% had mentored others. Only 12 respondents were not interested in being mentored. Mentorship relationships occurred across all professional job categories. Professionals who had been mentored placed the highest value on mentorship as the best way to gain professional competency and, in addition acknowledged the importance of being part of a professional community, experience and continuing education. Professionals who had not been mentored placed the highest value on experience as a means to gaining competency followed by continuing education and mentoring. As both the mentor and mentee, mentorship relationships were rated as significantly important to workplace safety, field practices and decision-making. Only 67 respondents participated in structured workplace mentorship programs - more common for educators and ski patrollers than for forecasters and guides. Formal and informal mentorship in the avalanche industry supports workplace safety, risk management, and professional development. According to our results, most successful mentorship relationships are based on professional relevancy, personal connection, and are initiated by the mentor. Therefore, it is the responsibility of more experienced practitioners to take on the mentor role.
Object ID: ISSW16_P2.25.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: mentorship, avalanche professionals, workplace safety
Page Number(s): 810-815
Subjects: questionnaire study mentoring avalanche professionals
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