Connect with Potential Mentors

Exploring

The knowledge and insight you bring to the conversation is not always measured by your GPA. Due to the collaborative nature of most creative and academic work, the skills needed to succeed involve more than your technical abilities (and often despite them)鈥攔anging from communication to creativity.

Preparing to Meet

Before meeting with a potential mentor you should learn about their work and consider what you want from your experience.

Do Your Homework

Read at least one of their recent publications, which are usually listed on their department website profile. 听If they have a personal or lab website, learn what you can about their work and collaborators.

Ready Your Resume

Work with Career Services to discover your strengths, so you can discuss your personality and learning styles more effectively. Then, get your resume ready for positions in 缅北禁地 and beyond.

Develop Questions

Take time to write questions you'd like to ask when you meet your potential mentor, and bring them to the meeting. Consider your goals as you develop questions and use our list to inspire your thinking.

Meeting

As you meet with faculty, you should be prepared to discuss their work and ask about their expectations for students.

Your success will depend on:


Your understanding of


  • what the project entails

  • shared expectations

Your ability to


  • work with others

  • manage your time


Set Goals

  • Get to know them and their work
  • Learn about required skills, training, etc.
  • Discuss preferred communication methods
  • Establish shared expectations
  • Look ahead on your calendars

First Contact Email

Template


Subject Line: Meeting Request to Discuss Research/Creative Opportunities

Dr./Professor Your Contact's Last Name,

I鈥檓 an undergraduate studying major(s)/minor(s) and currently exploring opportunities for undergraduate research/creative work.

I learned about your work (e.g. in arctic ecosystems on the department鈥檚 website) and would appreciate the opportunity to talk with you about it.

< Explain your motivation. >

I鈥檓 available for a meeting or call at the following times and am happy to find other times as needed.

Thank you,

Motivation


What interests you about and/or what questions do you have about their work?
e.g. 鈥淚 read your article on鈥nd am interested in learning more about鈥︹

How does their work advance your academic and professional goals?
e.g. 鈥淚 plan to鈥nd think experience with鈥ill help me鈥"

What do you bring to the potential partnership, noting relevant strengths, previous experiences, courses taken, and current activities?
e.g. 鈥淚鈥檓 comfortable doing鈥, have experiencing working with鈥, have taken courses in鈥, and am currently鈥

Discussion Questions

  • Is your work more individual or team-based?
  • If the work is team based, how often do members meet? 听Who are the other members?
  • What is your approach to working with undergraduates?
  • What methods (resources, tools, theories, etc.) do you use in your work?
  • What skills (training, certifications, course pre-requisites) would I need to work with you?
  • How do you prefer to communicate (email, phone, text, etc.)?
  • What initially interested you about your field of study?
  • How did you get started? Who helped?
  • What questions keep you going?
  • What do you hope your work will accomplish?
  • Can we meet again?

Additional Resources


Feeling the imposter syndrome building?

Students


Working
Independently

+

Thinking
Collectively


As a student,
you've answered many questions鈥
and spent many nights studying
to learn the answers.


Working as a scholar
is a collaborative process
driven by your curiosity.听


The classroom is only
part of your story.听


You have your own questions
some without answers and some
in need of better answers.


Research and creative work puts
you in the scholarly conversation,
and your curiosity moves the
conversation in new directions.


Scholars


Working
Collaboratively

+

Thinking
Independently


Open Opportunities

Explore funded, open opportunities mentored by 缅北禁地 faculty!


The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) represents an opportunity to enable student-centered education that makes the most of 缅北禁地鈥檚 global leadership in research and creative production. With well-documented benefits from persistence to postgraduate success, engagement in the research and creative life of the university can clarify career paths and prepare students for the future of work. Donations support empowering opportunities in all fields of study. .