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When you first start working with a mentee, it is important to effectively communicate the science behind the research project they will be completing and how that fits into the group's research. You have to be mindful of their level of knowledge in the area while also being thorough. This section contains some tips from others that have worked in the past to achieve both of these goals.
techniques for effective communication
techniques for effective communication
Explain to your mentee the big picture, the entire scope of the project, even if there are things they will not understand at first. This gives the mentee a framework of the whole project.
Tip: Flow-charts and figures speak a 1,000 words. Use group posters or a document/guideline/flowchart of the whole project – that way the mentee will have a visual reference to go back to in case they want a reminder but are reluctant to ask you again.
After you introduce the project, give them a topic and tell them to do their own research and see if they are interested in pursuing this project.
As the research progresses, you can always go back to that first conversation and remind them of what they are doing and which step of the process they are at.
Encourage commitment and interest by sharing your own enthusiasm for the subject. Tell them why the research is important and cool (this might be your personal opinion or literature-precedented).
Refer to the Learning about a mentee section – remember: people learn differently and have different interests.
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