Mentors

What makes someone qualified to be a mentor?

• Must have a long-standing track record of successful, independent research
• Have their own funding (i.e., R01)
• Must have a successful trainee track record mentoring trainees in academic careers
• Have the time to dedicate to their mentee and the KL2 Career Development Program
• Have the desire to be a mentor and be willing to write a letter of support

How do I select mentors to create an ideal multidisciplinary mentoring team?

Magnify Your Strengths: Will this mentor complement my strengths? Will this mentor help create synergy? Will this mentor enable me to better meet my goals?

Augment Your Weaknessess: Will this mentor provide content in an essential area in which I have a deficit? Will this mentor contribute new insights? Will this mentor help diversify this team?

Build For the Future: Will this mentor be committed to being a team member beyond the immediate project? Will this mentor be available to me? Will this mentor be willing to invest in my academic success?

Choose Optimism and Truth: Will this mentor provide honest feedback? Will this mentor seek to conduct the very best research? Will this mentor enjoy working with me?

(adapted from a talk by Joan Lakoski, University of Pittsburgh, at the Annual Meeting of the Roadmap K12, 2006)

For more information about selecting mentors, please go to the section on how to apply.

Click here for the Approved Potential Mentor List