Abstract
Mentorship is important in the field of aging. Traditional mentorship is a one-way consultation process, in which the emerging scholars learn from senior scholars. However, mentoring partnerships work best as a two-way exchange. In this session, referred to as the Mentoring Switch: Two Way Mentorship Program, seasoned scholars will be the recipients of mentorship from emerging professionals. This session was first held at the 2015 GSA Annual Scientific Meeting and based on survey results were quite successful. The key aim is to have international emerging professionals share personal and professional insights and experiences with international senior scholars on specifically chosen topics. The rationale of this program is to continue the cycle of learning by providing current mentors (often senior scholars) a chance to learn from emerging professionals (often recipients of mentorship). Twelve (12) invited senior scholars will be matched with 12 emerging scholars. The topics include: (1) international aging, (2) minority culture, (3) technology/social media, (4) interdisciplinary research, (5) teaching methods, and (6) student needs. This session will challenge the prevailing paradigms of mentorship including mentee and mentor roles, expand the depth and breadth of mentorship, and foster intergenerational and international communication. The Mentoring Switch was designed to be sustainable through establishing a work plan to foster future mentee/mentor “Two Way” collaborative efforts within GSA among students, emerging scholars, and senior scholars. Event participation is by invitation only. The grant from The Mentoring Effect is pending.