Tips for Successful Mentorship
- Make students feel welcome. Introduce them to others in your lab group if relevant.
- Articulate goals and expectations both short term and longer term. These may need to be adjusted over time.
- Stay in communication. Not just about the project but about the student's academic and career plans.
- Give and ask for feedback on regular basis. Neutral or lack of feedback may be interpreted as negative feedback.
- Keep in mind that time management is the biggest challenge reported by undergraduate researchers. Factors such as stress, the fast-pace of academic terms, illness, or insufficient supervision are primary reasons problems can arise.
- Provide guidance and feedback on the poster for Wetterhahn Science Symposium poster in the spring (if relevant). If you have more than one undergraduate working with you, they are welcome to present a group poster rather than individual posters.