TEL 431: Learning in Workplaces

L4 Activity: Development of a Developmental Network

Name: Hannah Jennewein
Date: 4/11/15
NOTE: Please italicize all your responses so that nothing is missed when your work
is assessed.
Before you begin this activity, please read the following article on reconceptualizing
mentoring-protg relationships.
Higgins, M. C., Kram, K. E. (2001). Reconceptualizing mentoring at work: A
developmental network perspective. Academy of Management Review 26(2), 264288. Available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/259122
In the article, the authors seek to redefine mentoring by extending literature that sees
mentoring as individuals receiving mentoring assistance from many people at any one
point in time, including senior colleagues, peers, family, and community members.
Operationalizing this theory, which incorporates social network research, may help you
begin to establish a developmental network that is more conducive to 21st century
workplaces, 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
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
Affiliation
What instigated
What insight
the conversation? did you gain
from this
mentor?
#1
Kelly Jennewein
mother
I always go to her The advice that
first with any
I receive from
personal or
my mom is
professional
always
problems I may
something that
be having in my
I could see
life. She is
myself doing.
always there to
She has lived
listen and offer
most of the
me a great deal of things that I
advice.
have in my life
and her advice
and opinion
means the
world to me.

#2

Elizabeth Rosenkrantz

Supervisor

Elizabeth is both
someone I come
to for
professional and
personal advice. I
talk with her
almost everyday
at work about
various things.

#3

Robyn Hacker

Supervisor

Robyn is my
other supervisor
and grad assistant
to the college
who I can always
come and talk to
about any topic.
She and I have
gotten a lot closer
over the past
couple of years
because of the
many
conversations we
have had.

#4

Jill Oliver

Professor

Jill and I have

worked together
on a couple of
work projects
over the past year
and are
completing an

Elizabeth is
very innovative
and creative,
which is why I
always trust her
ideas and
opinions. She
is also pursuing
a career that I
would also love
to pursue,
which means
her advice
about how she
got to where
she is now is
advice that I
always love
hearing.
Robyn is a
recent graduate
and is pursuing
a PhD, so
everything in
regards to
school and
professional
life she is very
knowledgeable
about. Our
conversations
always leave
me with
positive
thoughts and
eagerness to
accomplish
whatever we
talked about.
Jill is another
person who is
pursuing a
career that I
would love
doing. She
seems like she

independent
study together.
She has become a
very trusted
resource because
she is always
available and
willing to talk
with me.
#5

Nicole Wetzel

Supervisor

Nicole was my
mentor and
supervisor at my
SPARKS
internship, which
is where I figure
out what I wanted
to do in my
future, so I had
many
conversations
with her
regarding her job
and the future of
her organization.

has it all and I

always love
talking to her
about her
personal
journey and her
opinions are
very valued and
encouraging to
me.
I gained so
much insight
from Nicole
regarding the
early outreach
and recruitment
field, which
was extremely
helpful to me
wanting to
enter that field
upon
graduation.

Reflect about one of the mentors who had the most impact. 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? You may use direct quotes from the Higgins and Kram article, as long as
you create in-text citations. (200-300 words):
I would say the mentor that has had the largest impact on me would be my supervisor,
Elizabeth Rosenkrantz. I have worked with her since my sophomore year first on a
volunteer basis with a student leadership role and then hired as a student worker for the
college. She has always been an amazing supervisor that provides what I need as an
employee in a developmental network. She has always supported and aided me in my
vision of a future career. My ideas for myself in the future in regards to my career have
changed multiple times over that past couple of years. Each time I have had a new idea,
Elizabeth was there to offer her encouragement and advice to support me in my desires.
She is supporting in every way for my ever-changing career ideas. Elizabeth has also
had a huge impact in my personal and professional learning. She has encouraged me to
pursue whatever I desired and helped me through personal struggles leading to a more
enlightened world where I have learned so much about myself. She is also extremely
devoted to the Teachers College and the students she works with, which inspires me

everyday to pursue my career as relentlessly and wholeheartedly as she does. Elizabeth

is also the best supervisor I have had in regards to making me passionate about my work
and looking forward to coming to work everyday. She truly knows how to inspire and
motivate a person so that they are achieving at the best of their ability.
ANALYSIS OF MY MENTORS
#1 Mentors Name: Kelly Jennewein
Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.
My mother provides all kinds of support to me. She advises me on personal items, career
advice, and any other things in my life that I need guidance on. Her advice is endless
and always appreciated.
Diversity:
To what social system does person belong? Explain.
This person is apart of my family and that social system.
How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.
This person is not connected with any of my other mentors.
Relationship Strength:
Explain the level of emotional affect between you and this mentor.
There is a very high level of emotional affect between this mentor and myself. She is my
mother, so she has the highest level of any of the other mentors.
Explain the level of reciprocity between you and this mentor.
There is a lot of mutual exchange between this mentor and myself because of our close
relationship.
What is the frequency of communication between you and this mentor?
I talk to this mentor on a daily basis since she is my mother.
Do you see your relationship with this person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship?
I see this relationship as a very strong relationship that is still growing very, very strong.

#2 Mentors Name: Elizabeth Rosenkrantz

Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.
This person provides both career and personal support throughout the years that I have
known her she is always there for any support that I need. I know that I can always come
to her for advice and support.
Diversity:
To what social system does person belong? Explain.
This person belongs to the work social system and also my school social system since she
is my boss at the Teachers College at ASU.
How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.

This mentor is connected with the every other mentor besides my mother. They all work
together on a regular basis and connect on many different projects.
Relationship Strength:
Explain the level of emotional affect between you and this mentor.
I have gotten closer to this mentor over the years that I have been working with her.
Over the years since we have gotten closer more emotions have developed between the
two of us that are still growing.
Explain the level of reciprocity between you and this mentor.
This relationship is a lot of give and take. We both help each other on a regular basis;
me with her work matters and then her with anything that I may need in a professional or
personal capacity.
What is the frequency of communication between you and this mentor?
This mentor and myself speak on an almost daily basis. I work almost everyday meaning
that I also speak and work with her everyday.
Do you see your relationship with this person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship?
I see this as a very strong relationship. She has done so many things for both my
professional and personal life that I am truly thankful for and I am even considering
extending my time working with her for another year on a more full time basis.

#3 Mentors Name: Robyn Hacker

Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.
This person like all of the other mentors provides both career and personal support. She
is someone who I find very similar to myself and can speak with on a more personal
level.
Diversity:
To what social system does person belong? Explain.
This person like Elizabeth above is my work social system, which is how I first connected
with her.
How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.
Robyn also works for Elizabeth, so they both have a very strong working and personal
relationship. All of the mentors also work together on various Teachers College projects
initiatives.
Relationship Strength:
Explain the level of emotional affect between you and this mentor.
I have become much closer to Robyn over the past year. She has gone through many of
the things I am going through now, so I relate to her on a personal level.
Explain the level of reciprocity between you and this mentor.
We work together on a regular basis, so there is that expected relationship there, but
Robyn has also given me advice and help with my career and life goals.
What is the frequency of communication between you and this mentor?

I speak and work with Robyn at least three or four times a week whenever she is also
working in the office.
Do you see your relationship with this person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship?
I also see this relationship as a strong one that is still growing and will hopefully become
event stronger once we are both in the professional world.

#4 Mentors Name: Jill Oliver

Area of Support:
Does this person provide career, or psychosocial support? Explain.
Along with my other mentors, Jill provides career and personal support. Jill was one of
my professors first and then I started working with her on multiple projects and events.
Now, we are working together on an independent study to further my career knowledge
and goals with her support and guidance.
Diversity:
To what social system does person belong? Explain.
Jill belongs to my college social system being an employee there, but she has also
become a very close colleague and friend.
How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.
This mentor is connected with my other Teachers College mentors working together often
on different events and projects for the college.
Relationship Strength:
Explain the level of emotional affect between you and this mentor.
This mentor relationship probably has the lowest emotional affect because we have not
known each other that long, but there is still enough the make it a very trusted colleague
and friend with an ever-growing relationship.
Explain the level of reciprocity between you and this mentor.
Jill and I work closely together provide mutual resources and support to each other. Jill
has been especially giving in helping me figure out my future career goals and
opportunities.
What is the frequency of communication between you and this mentor?
The frequency of our communication is not as often being that we are both busy with
various things. Our communication is also limited to email more often than in person.
Do you see your relationship with this person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship?
I see this relationship as growing into a stronger one in the future once I move into a
career where we are hopefully still working together on a regular basis.

#5 Mentors Name: Nicole Wetzel

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

This person provided a lot of career support for me in regards to early outreach and
recruitment. She was able to tell me about many of her personal experiences that helped
me make decisions about my future career options. Nicole was also extremely helpful
when it came to finding available positions both at her organization and other
surrounding areas, which I was very thankful for her help and support.
Diversity:
To what social system does person belong? Explain.
This person belongs to the academic and professional social system. She has worked for
ASU and the Access-ASU department for an extended period of time. Nicole is
extremely knowledgeable about ASU and the process of finding employment
opportunities.
How many of your mentors is this person connected with? Explain the relationships, if
applicable.
This person is the newest to my network and therefore not associated with any of the
other mentors in my network.
Relationship Strength:
Explain the level of emotional affect between you and this mentor.
This mentor and I, although very new to each other, have a very good relationship. We
were able to bond quickly when we first met.
Explain the level of reciprocity between you and this mentor.
There is not a lot of give and take in our relationship. I participate in the events that she
plans providing my time and assistance, but she does also provide me with support and
advice whenever I ask.
What is the frequency of communication between you and this mentor?
This mentor and I do not communicate that frequently and is very limited to email and
online communication. I hope to change that in the future as our relationship grows and
prospers.
Do you see your relationship with this person as a strong tie or a weak tie relationship?
I do not see our relationship as strong or weak because it is still so new and growing
everyday, but I do foresee our relationship growing to be a very strong tie as we work
together more.
ESTABLISH VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS

LinkedIn is a social networking tool used by professionals to connect with one another
and to stay connected, even if workplace changes occur.
Create a LinkedIn profile for yourself. Include a professional headshot, and wellconstructed summary. Add other additional and pertinent information by following the
guidelines in this article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2014/06/26/how-to-uselinkedin-5-smart-steps-to-career-success/
Connect with your instructor and/or academic associate so they can verify your profile.
Our URLs are in Blackboard, in the Instructor button.
Connect with any of the mentors on your list who also have LinkedIn accounts.
Paste your profile URL here. (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):

www.linkedin.com/in/hannahjennewein
GOALS TO DEVELOP MY DEVELOPMENTAL NETWORK
Summarize why it is desirable to have an entrepreneurial network. (100-150 words)
It is very desirable to have an entrepreneurial network because those people are the ones
that are going to help you in your present and future endeavors. The people in my
network are those who are helping me in my education and to find future career
opportunities. Without this network, I would not have many of the opportunities that I
have right now as an almost recent graduate. That is why it is vital to have a network of
people that support each other and help you along your career path in order to find new
opportunities that will be exciting and better for your career goals.
In what way(s) is your existing developmental network conducive to becoming an
entrepreneurial network?
My existing network is already on its way to becoming an entrepreneurial network. The
network of people that I have are currently working the career field that I would like to
be in, so I am already getting opportunities that are helping me in my career goals. Once
I am more apart of the network as an employee rather a student, I think my network will
become even more beneficial to my career and self.
What activities will help you strengthen the diversity within your network?
Things I could do in a day: Work with my current mentors and network to branch out and
find other people to incorporate into my network.
Things I will do this month: This month I work with those new members of my network
trying to become closer to them and learn more about them and their careers.
Things I will do within a year: Find a new job after graduation that will allow me to
work with my current network of people along with my new members.
What activities will help you strengthen the relationships within your network?

Things I could do in a day: Reach out to all of my mentors in my network to check in and
learn more about available opportunities.
Things I will do this month: Meet with the people in my network in person to catch up
and speak to them more about them and myself.
Things I will do within a year: Once I am in a new career, continue to contact my
network and develop those relationships as a full-time employee.