Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

For SMART Faculty Mentors

Master
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Want to be a Mentor?

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Interested in being a SMART mentor? Read more about what the SMART program offers students and complete a research mentor commitment form by Jan. 13, 2025. Be sure to indicate whether you can fund a student or if you request the SMART program to fund a student. We will try out best to find a good match depending on research interests and funding.

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Before the Program Begins

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Once matched, review the participant's application to become familiar with the student's background, experience, abilities and interests.

Before the program begins:

  • Communicate with the student to recommend reading.
  • Plan a project that is suitable for the participant and of benefit to your lab's goals. Provide the participant with a written outline of the project.
  • Make sure members of your lab understand the participant is to be treated as a colleague, as a part of the scientific community.
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During the SMART Program

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Once the SMART program session begins:

  • Meet with the student early in the summer to discuss the project and your lab environment. Make your requirements known to the student.
  • Discuss the student's goals and how his/her efforts this summer can move him/her closer toward those goals.
  • Maintain a sufficient level of contact with the student and supervisor to monitor the student's progress. Let the student know how he/she is progressing.
  • Provide advice for further career development. Share your personal experiences with the student.
  • Provide the program director with feedback regarding the student's performance. Advise the program director of any significant problems that arise in time to take action to solve the problem.
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Why Become a Mentor?

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A good mentor can help a mentee understand the system and facilitate career advancements. Here are a few additional reasons why mentors matter, and what being a mentor means.

  • A mentor can contribute to, but is not responsible for, the success of the mentee.
  • Mentors can relate to mentees from completely different backgrounds.
  • A mentor can encourage someone to make appropriate choices and develop plans for succeeding. Building self-confidence is important to career development.
  • A mentor can help a mentee gain opportunities for development.
  • Your mentee is not you. Every person is unique and can be helped to develop individual talents, sometimes exceeding everyone's expectations.
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