Be Committed
Mentoring is a long-term commitment to a student. Please make sure you have the time and motivation to stay committed to the mentoring relationship.
Be Proactive
Students can be shy and intimidated by the idea of reaching out to faculty mentors. Throughout the project, routinely check in to make sure the student understands responsibilities and tasks. Encourage them to verbalize issues or questions as they arise.
Establish Expectations
Make sure you are on the same page regarding work schedules, communications, responsibilities, research timeline, and final product. This might be the student's first research experience, so you should clearly communicate how they can be an effective member of the team.
Discuss Special Approvals
If your research requires any special approvals or trainings (including research involving human participants, non-human animal subjects, or lab safety considerations), discuss these with your mentee and provide guidance when needed.
Give Advice
Bounce ideas back-and-forth with your mentee and provide feedback on their progress. You could also give advice on potential conferences, publishing opportunities, and future undergraduate research experiences.
Emphasize Resilience
Setbacks in research are common. Help students learn to deal with the unexpected and their own mistakes while you foster increasing independence.
Respect your Mentee
Create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where your mentee can develop their research skills.