What
is a Mentor?
A mentor is
a person in your organization, or in this case, university, who
can guide and coach you throughout your collegiate career. A mentor
can help you develop and grow professionally and personally. Through
this relationship you can learn about your field of interest,
the nuances of academia, and what career path(s) are available
to you, and characteristics of a successful professional. The
mentor/mentee is mutually beneficial, particularly when both parties
assume responsibility for the relationship.
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Multiple
Mentors
In the McNair
Program we will encourage you to have a number of individuals
whom you could consider a mentor. Each of these individuals will
have unique knowledge and skills sets, as well as, experiences,
to give to you along your path towards a graduate education. One
type of mentor could be a faculty/research mentor with whom you
can talk to about your field and who may work with you during
your summer research experience. This person should have the knowledge
and experience necessary to coach you in your field of study.
Another type
of mentor could be more of a professional development mentor who
offers you expertise in the area of negotiating through the rigors
of academia and the politics of higher education. This person
may or may not be in your field of study and may or may not be
faculty. This person could be a graduate student or staff member
with whom you feel comfortable with. McNair Scholars will often
have mentors from other universities, as well. Just as a boxer
has many people in her/his corner, so should you in your pursuit
of a graduate education.
Yet another
type of mentor could help you to understand and manage those responsibilities
and demands that come with being a professional in higher education
who hails from a "non-traditional" background. Professionals
who are women, persons of color, and/or first generation college
graduates are often called upon by the institution, students and
community to offer their expertise and service to work with these
important and growing constituencies. An experience professional
who has had success in managing these multiple roles can serve
as a great mentor to you.
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Things
to Consider in Choosing a Faculty/Research Mentor
- Does
the mentor have time to take you on as a research scholar?
- Is his/her
demeanor appealing and comfortable for your academic style and
need?
- Does
the professor have ongoing research activities in your area
of research interest?
- Have
former undergrads and/or grad students of the professor received
proper guidance and did they have a good experience?
- Does
the professor supervise space/laboratory equipment/resources
that you can use for your research?
- Does
the professor anticipate being with the university for the duration
of your research project?
- Will
the professor guide you through the completion of the research
project, a professional presentation, and an article for publication
in the McNair Journal?
- Does
the professor exhibit the ability to communicate openly, clearly,
and effectively?
- Will
the professor help provide access to articles, books, etc. that
will aid you in your endeavors?
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Our
Expectations of Faculty/Research Mentors
- Serve
as a positive role model for McNair scholars
- Help
scholars develop a broader view of life as a university faculty
member
- Accompany
scholars to events on and (possibly) off campus
- Encourage
scholars to persist through the bachelor's degree level and
into doctoral education
- Attend
McNair events with scholars
- Alert
McNair Program Coordinator of any difficulties - academic or
otherwise - that the scholar may be encountering
- Assist
scholars in understanding the rigors of graduate education and
the importance of persistence
- Use the
professional network to assist scholars when making contacts
with graduate schools
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