MentorshipCindi Morshead, Professor and Chair, Division of AnatomyGraduate Coordinator, Institute of Medical Science

The basics

Mentors

Junior FacultyStudents

Skills of a mentor

Listening

Building trust

Ability to encourage

Identifying goals and current reality

Providing corrective feedback

Inspiring and good motivator

Developing capabilities in mentees

It’s never too early to discuss evaluation criteria

Established independence

Recognition (National and International) Talks Scientific review panels

Productivity (publications; the value of review articles)

Teaching Get a graduate appointment!

Junior faculty

Mentoring Junior Faculty

Check in with mentee if they haven’t heard anything in a while.

Point mentees to someone who can help if you can’t

Ask about and praise accomplishments

Help junior faculty members identify and build on their own strengths.

Inform your department head if you have questions or concerns.

Junior faculty

Mentoring students

Mentors

Junior FacultyStudents

Communication – the key to success

Outline from the start: Open dialogue about career aspirations/future goals

as this will help to formulate the project. Expectations of the student – have a frank and honest

discussion Set goals – short and long term, time to completion

Set up regular meetings (weekly/biweekly)

Share with student the good and the challenges

Encourage work-life balance

Students

Program Advisory Committees – choose carefully

Engage people who can offer complementary expertise that you may not have in your own lab.

Make sure there is someone on the PAC that has successfully supervised a student to completion of a graduate degree

Honest evaluations of the students – protect yourself and your student

Regular meetings are critical Consider this when putting together a PAC Don’t wait for results

Students

Common issues – get advice

Students under stress

Unmotivated students

Poor progress

Unethical conduct

Student funding

Time to completion

Challenges with Student-Supervisor relationship