Mentoring Undergraduates: Factors to Consider Carol Bender, Director The Undergraduate Biology Research Program and The Biomedical Research Abroad: Vistas Open Program The University of Arizona

Undergraduate years are a time of: Socialization into the world of adults Development of intellectual abilities and acquisition of knowledge base Career exploration Acquisition of professional values and skills

Remember…. True mentors cannot be “assigned” but are identified by students themselves Undergraduates can and often should have more than one mentor at a time Mentoring requires engaging in “reality testing” with students Good mentoring requires time, patience and a willingness to listen

Summary Do not assume your undergraduate mentees know some of the most basic tenets of professional behavior and be prepared to guide them (but not in a pejorative way) Listen to your mentees--they will enrich your life Be ready to let your mentees move on to the next stage of development--the ultimate reward is for your mentees to become valued colleagues