Finding a Mentor
So you've decided you want a career mentor in the laboratory. Some facilities have their own mentor programs and may assign you to a mentor. In other instances, you might be on your own to find a mentor.
If this is the case, there are a few pieces of criteria you should consider before asking someone to be your mentor. In her book The Mentee's Guide: Making Mentoring Work for You, Lois J. Zachary gave these tips:
- Identify your goal and consider why you want a mentor.
- Create a list of criteria or qualities you want in a mentor.
- Determine qualities that are "must haves."
- Rank the remaining criteria, or the "wants."
- List possible mentor option.
- Eliminate options not meeting the "musts."
- Rate each remaining option against the "wants."
- Make your decision and approach your potential mentor.
How have you picked a mentor in the laboratory? What has worked for you? Please share your stories.