Mentoring: who needs it?

It's paradoxical that the time in your academic career when you most need support and advice — as a new faculty member — is also the first time at which there's no-one else formally responsible for your welfare. As a graduate student you had an advisor. As a postdoc you were surrounded by your peers and probably overseen by the lab head. But now you're on your own and, as you encounter the maze of information needed to prepare your first grant application and learn to juggle teaching responsibilities while hiring and training your first technician, you might well wonder how you will ever survive. The answer is, it's time to find a mentor.There are many reasons to have a mentor. You won't have become an independent investigator without mastering an abundance of concepts and techniques, but there are many more skills — such as writing and reviewing manuscripts and grant applications — that you'll need if you're to thrive. You'll also need high professional and ethical standards; in today's fast-moving scientific world, you will be held responsible for knowing what conduct is right and wrong. As a junior faculty member, you will need plenty of advice and guidance — and not just on the big issues. For example, the timing of your first grant application will be just as important as the way it's written.What can a mentor do for you? Let's start with what a mentor cannot do for you. A mentor cannot see into the future and identify the hot trends in your field. They can't make your experiments run more smoothly. They can't guarantee publication of your latest research in a top journal, or ensure that you will rapidly advance through your institution's promotion and tenure system.What a mentor can do, however, is smooth your path. Because they have been through many of the issues you are now addressing for the first time, they can offer valuable advice. Mentors can be a sounding board; they can often provide that extra boost of confidence that you need when embarking on a change in research direction, job or even career.So, the first technician you've ever had, who you spent months training, has just quit. You are constantly tired from juggling the demands of your new laboratory with finding time for your family. A good mentor can help you survive these experiences; they can make the difference between success and failure in your career. This person might be someone you've always admired, they could be at another institution or a colleague in the laboratory down the hall. Your mentor doesn't necessarily need to come from the same scientific background as you, as long as you can relate to them. But not everyone's cut out for the job.So how do you find a good mentor? Try looking for someone who is experienced, enthusiastic and believes that individuals can and should ‘do science’, regardless of gender or ethnicity. Seek someone who seems happy with their own career choices. Look for a person who can discuss issues and address sensitive topics. Find an individual who has high professional standards for themself and others. Look for someone who is willing to spend time listening to your needs. But don't be surprised if you can't find such a paragon; it's a rare person who will have all these qualities. So find more than one mentor. Find several.Whoever you choose, you should expect fair treatment and ethical conduct, including confidentiality. Your mentor should respond to reasonable requests for help from you, but you will also need to respect your mentor's time and space, especially as this is both a personal and professional relationship. In turn, your mentor should expect you to pay attention, provide them with feedback and, importantly, they should recognize that you will not necessarily follow their advice.As you establish a working relationship with your mentor, don't hesitate to keep him or her informed of your progress. One of the symptoms of success is the inevitable increase in demands on your time. You might suddenly be asked to serve on several review panels, teach another course and consider a new job. Often, your mentor can help you to focus on the most important issues, point out the advantages and disadvantages of a situation and identify the environment that will best serve your own personal style and career needs.So, the next time you are struggling to cope with the demands of your professional life, remember that finding a mentor is a smart investment in yourself. Better yet, be a mentor, too. By standing on the other side of the fence, you will not only be contributing to the growth and success of another scientist, you'll be acquiring another of the skills that’ll help to make you successful in your own career.