How to be an Effective Mentor

Scientific mentoring is a personal, one-on-one relationship between a more experienced researcher and a junior researcher through which the trainee receives guidance and encouragement that contributes to professional development.

Why should you be a good mentor? Good mentoring should be viewed as an essential ingredient for ensuring that the postdoctoral-mentor relationship is professionally productive. Mentors also often mention deriving personal satisfaction in helping nurture the next generation of scientists.

Traits of a good mentor

Accessibility: An open door and an approachable attitude.
Empathy: Personal insight into what the trainee is experiencing.
Open mindedness: Respect for each trainee’s individuality and for working styles and career goals that may be different from those of the mentor.
Consistency: Acting on your stated principles on a regular basis.
Patience: Awareness that people make mistakes and that each person matures at his or her own rate.
Honesty: Ability to communicate the hard truths about the trainee’s chances of success.
Savviness: Attention to the pragmatic aspects of career development.
Trust: As a mentor you are privy to considerable information about your trainee, including accomplishments, failures, financial situations and possibly even personal information. Information should be treated as confidential so your trainees feel they can trust you and share their ideas and problems with you.

Strategies for Effective Mentoring in your Lab

Make everything a learning opportunity
Set specific goals and measures of accomplishment
Encourage strategic thinking and creativity
Uphold professional standards
Impart skills
Provide networking opportunities
Give moral support