On Friday, October 15, 2021, I attended a workshop about finding research mentors, presented by Sky Duke.

 

Part of the Honors requirements at CMU is a final capstone project that may include research with a faculty mentor. I had been really worrying about how to do this level of research, find a mentor, and come up with an idea for what to research, so this event was perfect for me. Throughout her presentation, Ms. Duke addressed my worry of finding a mentor in detail.

 

Ms. Duke began by prefacing that the methods used for research and finding mentors that she would discuss will work for both our capstone and any other undergraduate research we may work on. She also mentioned how this type of academic engagement can lead to great letters of recommendation, awards or other recognition, and a more well-rounded resume. She then began discussing the purpose, benefits, and step-by-step guide to the mentor selection process. A mentor in research serves as a guide to someone through the process of research from start to finish. Their presence can help enhance your learning, expand your networks, and even increase the opportunities and resources available to you. When finding a mentor, it is important that they are kind, respectful, and invested in you. It does not matter how skilled in their field they are, if the potential mentor’s personality or work style is not compatible with your own, your relationship with them is not going to help your research. It is important that they also are active in research that interests you. Sometimes, professors no longer engage in research, these people are not the best for guiding you in the process. Ms. Duke broke down the process of finding a mentor into four steps: Identifying potential mentors, outreach, the meeting, and assessing your options. To make all of this more possible, Duke mentions that it may be in the student’s best interest to declare an independent study in order to have enough time to complete the research appropriately. 

 

The workshop and discussion were very insightful. At the time, it helped ease my angst regarding my upcoming research and capstone; for the future, the ideas I learned will help guide me in my process. The conversation we had helped give me a rough timeline for when I want to find a mentor and began proposing my capstone idea. I feel far more confident going into this process now after seeing how some of the key components can be achieved in just a few, reasonably simple steps.