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Make sure you have a mentor
07 October 2009
By Matthew Salois
Getting a research post 4,000 miles away from home wasn't the original plan. Less than two months from my wedding and one month away from graduation, I had yet to land my dream job. I turned my attention to international research jobs, found an opening at the University of Reading, and thought, "Why not?"
The speed at which my life moved was both intimidating and exciting. I soon found myself married, a newly minted PhD, and flying across the Atlantic to begin my new post at Reading Uni. I felt overwhelmed as I started my career, learned a new school system, and adjusted to the demands of grant-funded research.
My colleagues were sympathetic as I adjusted, but I often felt like a fish out of water. Something was missing. About three months into my post, I attended a Research Staff Induction day, and short of sounding melodramatic, it changed my life.
The induction presented the Research Concordat and laid out the support opportunities available, such as funding to attend career development workshops. The induction also emphasized the importance of a mentor. Instantaneously, I realized the missing link was a mentor, a "critical friend" outside my grant project.
I experienced a strong positive shift, both professionally and personally, with a mentor in place. I picked my mentor because he is not directly involved in my project and he is the kind of researcher I want to become. His door is always open and he's always willing to help.
So, my advice? If you're just starting a research career, or even if you're on your second research post, make sure you have a mentor. It has made all the difference in my experience.
What's been your experience with/without a mentor and what qualities would you look for in one?
Elizabeth Dodson08 October 2009 at 03:33 PM
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I agree that mentors provide a great resource, especially for early career researchers. A new mentoring scheme has been introduced at my university, and I have found it incredibly valuable to have someone outside of my department who is pushing me to do the important things that always drop to the bottom of my to-do list. They give me constructive advice and provide an independent ear, untainted by departmental project deadlines!
Tennie Videler12 October 2009 at 02:11 PM
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I actually think having a mentor is useful wherever you are in your career, as long as there is someone 'ahead' of you who is willing to invest some time to mentor you...... MentorSET offer a national mentor matching service, but is limited to women in Science, Engineering and Technology: www.mentorset.org.uk . Are people aware of any other mentoring schemes?
Richard Mead12 October 2009 at 04:37 PM
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Our department is initiating a mentoring system which will eventually be available for all new Research Staff (OK, I get it now). I went on the training day which was for both potential mentors and mentees and found it incredibly useful. Mentoring wasnt quite what I had expected. There was as much enthusiasm from more senior staff to learn how to be a good mentor as there was from postdocs to be mentored
Matthew Salois12 October 2009 at 06:35 PM
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How interesting, Richard, that you found as much excitement from the senior staff; my experience was a bit the opposite. I found senior staff to be concerned about the possible time commitments. Not that they weren’t excited about the opportunity - just cautious as to the level of involvement. My own mentor scheme is very informal. There is an official recognition about who my mentor is, but I tend to only seek his counsel on an as-needed basis. I am not sure if this is the best way however, and I may be under-utilizing him. Time constraints just seem to dictate how things are. Do you, or anyone, have a specific mentor-relationship? If so, how does this work for you?
Elizabeth Dodson12 October 2009 at 07:05 PM
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We are trialling mentoring at the moment. Mentees were matched with mentors based on the specific needs they identified. All pairs made an agreement to meet at least once per month for 6 months and we were encouraged to set dates and provisional goals right at the beginning. I'm into month 3 of the scheme and so far have been really pleased with how it works. Without a commitment to meet regularly, I don't think I would have gained as much from the process.
Tennie Videler14 October 2009 at 12:46 PM
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I have been both a mentee and a mentor and was surprised to find how much I got out of being a mentor. It is great to feel of use, to maybe help someone to avoid the mistakes you may feel you've made and to reflect on how much you have learned and can now pass on... So go on, consider mentoring someone more junior yourselves!