How to Choose a Mentor Deborah Cotton MD, MPH

Why Be Careful About Choosing a Mentor? They can be life-long advocates or life-long adversaries They can steer you to a perfect first project or start you on a career-ending path They can help you form good habits or bad They can be very hard to leave and harder to get over

Why is a Mentor not important? Many people have succeeded without a mentor, or after a bad “mentoring” experience Many people have failed despite having a great mentor, and a stellar mentoring experience There are many kinds of “mentoring” –Peer mentoring –Dual mentoring ( mentor for content, mentor for methods) –Self mentoring –Mentoring you ‘absorb’ from the culture

Job One- Know Yourself Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses Articulate your goals “Know what you don’t know” –About the field –About academic medicine –About the research process itself

Do your homework first Not to impress but to really understand their work What is his/her publication record? –Do papers build on a theme? –Has publication been steady and is it continuing? –What tier journals does he/she publish in? –Are methods sound? –Is the work innovative? –Are you enjoying reading ( even though it may be hard) What is his/her funding record (use CRISP) –Has it been steady and substantial? –Does he/she have institutional training grants Ask for c.v. Do an internet search

Starting the Process Make sure you know the entire universe of possible mentors Know the rules: –When do you have to choose and how? –Can you work with people outside the section? –Are some mentors “ taken” and what does that mean? Go to see anybody you think there is any chance you would like to work with Do not reject people on basis of topic,appearances, rumors, whim Do not choose someone simply because you have similar traits or they ‘seem nice’

Common Mistakes when Approaching Possible Mentors Fear of rejection- “I’m not good enough” Fear of competition from other trainees Being influenced/forced to choose only from certain mentors Deciding too hastily Being too “romantic” Looking for “brand status”

“Quality Measures” of Mentors Professorial rank (adjusted for age and field) Track record with trainees –Academic appointments and professorial rank of former trainees –Publication record of former trainees –# of current trainees PI of mentoring award (K30, K24, T32, foundations)? Word of mouth reputation as a mentor

“Quality Measures” of a Research Environment Weekly conferences/journal clubs Stable research staff that are well treated Dedicated and adequate research space Good mix of MDs, PhDs, methodologists Positive spirit of competition Evidence of collaborative opportunities High status of group in institution

Interviewing with a Potential Mentor Introduce yourself –Do not presume they know: you ( even if you worked with them in clinical setting) your background or your previous work your previous mentors (even if “famous”!) Be positive about your qualifications –THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO DISCUSS YOUR INSECURITIES

Things to Observe When Interviewing a Potential Mentor Do they treat the interview seriously? –Promptness –Attention –Avoid Interruptions –Give you Adequate Time What do they talk about in the interview? –Their work? –Themselves? –You? –The future of the field? –Their expectations of you, of themselves as mentors?

Is the Mentor someone whom you would like to become? In his/her own career, what relative emphasis does mentor place on: –Research –Education –Patient Care –Administration –“Extracurricular activities”

Positive Attributes in a Mentor Seems excited about his/her work Respected by current trainees Knowledgeable about field Known in field (“ a connector”) Does not hold excessive grudges, or have lots of enemies Does not blame research failures on others Organized FAIR!!!!

Negative Qualities in a Mentor “Not there”- physically, mentally, or emotionally Disorganized Unreliable Insecure Inappropriate in word or action- have zero tolerance Questionable research integrity

What you may be asked in an interview with a Potential Mentor Why did you come to see me? Do you have experience? Where do you see yourself in five, 10 years? Things they cannot ask about: –Religion, illness/disability, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, childbearing plans

What a Potential Mentor May Be Thinking Will this person: “fit in”? Make unusual or excessive demands? Slow things up? Criticize me/us?

Go to the Source Try to talk to former, current trainees in person –Emphasize that this is in confidence-AND MEAN IT!!! –Frame the questions appropriately: “Tell me about your background and how you chose this mentor/research group/research topic.?” “What are the strengths and “challenges” of this environment?” –Does mentor have enough ideas, tech skills, time? –Can you bring problems to mentor? –How are projects assigned? –How does mentor manage competition? –Is mentor fair to all trainees or play favorites?

But be Cautious ….. Remember that the trainee you are talking to may have his/her own agenda –May see you as threat/competition »For mentors time,attention »For ideas »For space and equipment –May see you as burden

After you interview a potential mentor Send thank-you note/ Do what they suggest at interview –If they give you papers, read them –If they tell you to see others in organization, see them –If they offer to meet again, go

Launch a campaign Know who else is applying Think of how you can distinguish yourself from that person(s) Get current trainees on your side Try to get objective advice to weigh candidates –From fellowship director –From section chief –From others

ACHIEVING CLOSURE –REMEMBER THAT FACULTY HAVE FEELINGS TOO When you choose a mentor, let each candidate you interviewed know. Cite your interest in another topic, don’t frame this as wanting to work more with another person

GOOD LUCK!