ASB Mentor Program Mentor Responsibilities

Professional participants who serve as mentors are a vital component to a student's professional development. Students attend the ASB Conference with expectations of gaining new knowledge in the various stages of educational and career development and increasing scientific expertise.

Remember what it was like when you were in your mentee's position. Take the initiative to suggest discussion topics, share personal experiences, pose questions, and engage in small talk until a relevant topic for discussion emerges. Be responsive to your mentee's questions and comments.

Students are seeking:

• Guidance in navigating the pathways from undergraduate and graduate student to full-time scientist/academician
• Opportunities to become a member of your research team (summer internship or graduate position)
• Advice on how to balance career and family
• Introduction to ideas for potential areas of research
• Information on understanding the impact of educational choices
• Mentoring in the professional skills key to a successful scientific career
• Networking

What to Expect:

• Mentee is encouraged to make the intial contact with you, the mentor.
• To do this, mentee should send you an email explaining his/her interests and background.
• Share CV's (curriculum vitaes) or resume before attending the annual ASB conference to give both of you background and ideas for discussion.
• Before meeting you, the mentee should read some of your published work and come to the ASB conference prepared with questions and topics to discuss.
• The details of the initial meeting (e.g., day/time) between mentee and mentor at the annual ASB conference should be planned prior to going to the conference.
• Be prepared to discuss other potential activities to do during the conference, e.g., a private meal, or times when mentee can be introduced to your other students and/or colleagues (see end, “Mentor Conference Activities…”.)

Discussion Topics (for Annual Conference or During Other Correspondence)

• Discussions should be designed to provide professional career strategies, skills and guidance from the mentor's experience in the scientific/academic community
• Topics may include:
• summer research opportunities
• selecting a career path
• achieving promotion/tenure or other career advancement opportunities.
• Mentor should share how they arrived in their position today, hardships encountered and how they overcame them.
• Mentor should be open to questions mentee may have on research direction, education, family, and career.
• Mentor should inquire into the educational and career goals of the mentee.
• Mentor may like to consider staying in contact with mentee via email even after the conference has ended

Mentor Conference Activities with Mentee

• Attend the mentee's poster or podium presentation.
• Offer constructive criticism and insight on their work.
• Have a private breakfast, lunch, or dinner with just the mentee at least once during the conference.
• Go to one of the scheduled conference events together.
• Introduce your mentee to students and colleagues.