Being A Great Mentor

Without a doubt, one of my favorite parts of working in research is being able to mentor enthusiastic students and volunteers. I've mentored students since my experience in my undergraduate lab and since then have learned some "best practices" for ensuring both mentor and mentee are happy with the mentorship experience.

• Sit down with your PI and mentee to discuss the length and goals of the mentorship. Is the student with you for a few months or indefinitely? Will the student be working on a specific part of your project, or something totally different? This conversation will provide structure for your mentorship experience.
• Ask your mentee what they're interested in! Understanding what your mentee wants to learn will help you tailor their training and will keep them invested in the research project.
• Work with the student or volunteer to establish a schedule for them. Students are often juggling classes and research, in addition to other extracurriculars and jobs; implementing a structured schedule for them will help them make progress