MARE 103 Finding (and Landing) an Advisor

MARE 103 Finding an Advisor

MARE 103 Landing an Advisor

I Have an idea – Now What? How to Find the Correct Advisor Contacting Potential Advisors The Next Steps

Finding the Correct Advisor Should fit your subject matter Ideally close to work site Willing/able to take on a MOP student

Finding the Correct Advisor Where should you look: UHH Directory Ask – Faculty, MOP coordinators, other students Publications

Finding the Correct Advisor Who is your Ideal Advisor? Combination of: - Expertise - Interest - Location

You want to make a good first impression First contact should NOT be... “hey, Marine Debris looks cool…your lab looks cool – I would love to work with you” Contacting Potential Advisors

A better approach… First contact should be... “My name is ___. I’m a freshman in __. I’m contacting you regarding my Marine Option Program project as a potential advisor” Contacting Potential Advisors

The approach… “Letter” should have 3 sections - Introduce yourself (who you are) - Show your understanding of who THEY are - Integrate the 2 together – show how you fit Contacting Potential Advisors

Letter should allow Advisor to: - see how you will fit into their program/lab - understand their role/responsibility - want to leave as little to chance as possible Contacting Potential Advisors

1. Develop a timeline - goal is final proposal by end of semester - work backwards The Next Steps

2.Determine “the plan” - decide how often to meet - milestones, deadlines - MOP provides overall framework; you and Advisor fill in that framework The Next Steps

3. Maintain contact - stick to your meeting plan - meet goals, make deadlines - realize contacting with no progress is better than not contacting at all The Next Steps

Next Next Steps - Literature Search - Develop Objectives - Design Project/Study - Write Proposal Outline - Write Draft Proposal - Edit into Final Proposal The Next Steps