Mentoring Undergraduates in Science and Engineering (MUSE)

What type of mentor(s) do you seek?

• General mentor – someone who can provide you with direction and information about courses, graduate school, career-related decisions and personal advice perhaps regarding life in general
• Professional advisor – someone you go to particularly for research and career development advice
• Research mentor(s) – someone who guides and supervises your work as a researcher
• Thesis advisor – someone who provides research opportunities and guides you through the writing process
• Peer mentor – someone who may have similar characteristics as you (e.g., age, research interests, major), can relate to your experiences and can provide a general mentor relationship

Some reasons for seeking a mentor:

• Intellectual support – you need help with problem-solving or identifying next steps in your research
• Personal/Emotional support – you look for encouragement, friendly advice, and access to information
• Professional socialization – you want to learn about your discipline (e.g., knowledge and skills) and the values and norms of the profession

Some ways to connect with potential mentors

• Get involved in student organizations
• Initiate discussions with faculty members
• Participate in networking events
• Follow their work and learn about the person's career
• Sign up for job shadowing
• Volunteer at events that matter to you
• Talk to advisors/professors who may help you get connected
• Check out mentoring programs that exist

Keep in mind that no one person will meet your mentoring needs. You may benefit from multiple mentors of diverse talents, ages, and personalities.