mentoring is a fine balance

Julie Overbaugh, PhD

Mentoring is A Fine BalanceMentoring is A Fine Balance

mentor

trainee


Helping a person to learn the skills and information needed to achieve their own professional goals. Helping them define goals that suit their talents. Helping promote their careers.

MentoringMentoring


Many ‘older’ faculty will tell you it is their students, not their papers that give them the most pride in their career.

Often trainees become valued colleagues many years latere.g. previous trainees now serve on NIH study section

Students/fellows hear about good mentors and seek them out. Good mentors often have their choice of top students. This creates a cycle that enhances the research program

Why do it? What is in it for you?Why do it? What is in it for you?


Your role is as the group leader. You are the most experience member of your team

Most programs do not do well if the PI does not have a heavy hand in guiding the trainees research, especially in the first few years.

Constructive criticism is important. You are not being ‘critical’ when you call on your

experience and knowledge to provide constructive feedback.

But have compassion and remember the challenges they face.

You also want to be approachable. Listen to trainees Value their opinions

Suggestions for mentoringSuggestions for mentoring


Let the student know you are listening and that you want to help them achieve their specific career goals.

Not every student wants to be a PI, so finding out what the student wants to do is key to effectively mentoring them.

Try to pick trainees with goals that are matched to your view of who you want in your lab and the kind of student you want to train.

Watch students reactions to your input so you can gauge what is working and helpful. Each student is different. Mentoring must be tailored to the individual - one size does not fit all.

Be aware of culture differences - they may impact how you approach your trainee and how your input is perceived.




Don’t overly burden the trainee with your stresses. They have their ownBut at the same time, don’t shelter them, especially senior postdocs aiming to be a PI.

People vary in how much they socialize with trainees, but if you do, you can’t be exclusive.


Mentoring trainees is very time consuming. Students and fellows require a considerable amount of time, especially

in the first year or two.

Be sure you have the time to mentor a student before you accept them in your lab.

Students who are struggling take more time. Don’t ignore the good students!



Areas that can create synergy of purposeAreas that can create synergy of purpose

mentor

trainee

Maintaining a vibrant well-funded research program:Getting grantsAccomplishing aims of the grantPublishingData for key talks

Developing into a productive, independent, successful scientist:PublishingGenerating strong data


Areas that can cause ‘conflict’ in optimal use of Areas that can cause ‘conflict’ in optimal use of time and energy for the PItime and energy for the PI

mentor

trainee

Developing into a productive, independent, successful scientist:Classes/examslearning to write and give talksbranching out from defined aims, especially postdocs

Skills for a career that is not as PIgetting teaching or other experience

Maintaining a vibrant well-funded research program:Getting grantsAccomplishing aims of the grantPublishingData for key talks


What is the balance in the situation of writing papers?What is the balance in the situation of writing papers?

mentortrainee

Typical first paper experience. Trainees provides numerous draftsMentor usually guides writing and teaches

Can be a lot of work for the mentor, and often takes more time than just writing it themselves.


Are there times when this approach may not be best for Are there times when this approach may not be best for the overall program?the overall program?

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trainee

There is sometimes a reason why the mentor writes the paper. E.g. if time is of the essence: grant due, approaching promotion, worried about being scooped, etc.

Trainee does not get training they need to succeed.

If you feel you must go this route, talk to the trainee and make sure they understand this is a 1 time deal with a plan for later


Find the right balance that considers both your programs Find the right balance that considers both your programs success and the student’s training needssuccess and the student’s training needs

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trainee


Consider the long-term implicationsConsider the long-term implications

Consider the long term, not just the short term view:

A good student/fellow will be writing papers mostly on their own by the time the last one comes around and they can help others in the lab.

Thus helping them to learn good communication skills initially will pay off later.

Those trainees who feel they get good training will promote your lab, eventually leading to your being able to recruit better and better students and fellows


Other challenges of mentoringOther challenges of mentoring

Helping a person to learn the skills and information needed to achieve their own professional goals.

Helping them define goals that suit their talents.

Does the person fit into the square that:- you have envisioned for them?- they have set as a course for themselves?


Be aware of the power/control imbalanceBe aware of the power/control imbalance

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trainee

You have a lot of impact on your trainee’s future and they can be intimidated by this.

Resources such as senior faculty or an Ombudsman office can be helpful if tensions arise and aren’t resolved because he/she is impartial and does not have an impact on either of your careers.


Suggestions for mentoring:

Help promote your trainees by sending them to meetings, having them present their data whenever possible and introducing them to colleagues.

But sending a trainee who gives poor talks may not be good, either for them or for your reputation, so insist on quality. Make sure they are ready.

Give trainees opportunities to demonstrate their independence and leadership.

Pace of providing such opportunities may vary for each trainee, and will depend on their efforts and success with the prior opportunities.

Mentoring: Promoting a trainee’s careerMentoring: Promoting a trainee’s career


Helping postdocs become independentHelping postdocs become independent

This is usually a process; initially the trainee will most likely start tied to your projects, grants etc. The balance works: you see progress on projects central to your group; they usually get quick papers and training.

For the subset of fellows who show potential for an independent academic career, it is important to encourage them to explore new paths over time. This may be a gradual process, with the goal that when they are ready to give a job talk/write a grant, they have a clear distinct path from your ongoing work. -> remember to pay attention to this.


Finding a mentor for yourselfFinding a mentor for yourself

Junior faculty benefit from having senior faculty mentors

A recent survey we conducted of junior faculty strongly suggested that having a mentor or a mentoring committee is beneficial.

If your institution has formal mentoring committees, take advantage of that option. If not, seek out a senior faculty mentor on your own.


Faculty mentoringFaculty mentoring

Areas where the faculty mentor or faculty mentoring committee can be a resource:

Reading grants, drafts of papersStrategies for growing the labTrainee issues and advice on mentoring students/fellowsThe balance of research and other activities; outside requestsHelping you network


Faculty mentoringFaculty mentoring

Choosing faculty who:

Know your field They can read grants, introduce you at meetings

Will make the time You feel has good judgment and a similar style

To advise on trainees, size of lab, lab cultureYou don’t feel is in conflict

For some people, having a faculty member who is also going to vote on their promotion can be uncomfortable when it comes to discussing concerns. If having such a person as mentor will inhibit you from discussing tough issues, choose someone else.

Who can help you navigate promotion


Some days are like thisSome days are like this

mentor

trainee

mentoring is a fine balance

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