Mentoring Graduate and Undergraduate Students. Larissa R. Brunner Huber, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Public Health Sciences. Background. Syracuse University BA Anthropology, minor Mathematics University of Massachusetts MS Epidemiology Emory University Ph.D. Epidemiology. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Mentoring Graduate and Undergraduate Students
Mentoring Graduate and Undergraduate StudentsLarissa R. Brunner
Huber, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorDepartment of Public Health
Sciences1BackgroundSyracuse UniversityBA Anthropology, minor
MathematicsUniversity of MassachusettsMS EpidemiologyEmory
UniversityPh.D. Epidemiology2How was I mentored?Syracuse
UniversityMathematics ProfessorTA experienceUniversity of
MassachusettsEpidemiology professorOperations ManagerEmory
UniversityEpidemiology professorAcademic writing
3What did I learn from my mentors?Grading papersInteracting with
studentsInteracting with healthcare professionalsPlanning a
studyPreparing manuscriptsWriting academicallyDealing with
difficult people4Coming to UNC CharlotteSmall departmentMany more
students than faculty membersUndergraduates!5Independent
studiesWhat may not workAgreeing to do independent studies for
students youve never had in classIndependent study based on solely
on students interestIndependent study with no concrete end
product6Independent studiesWhat does workFind a topic that you AND
the student are interested inBe firm about the end product
7Success stories with independent studiesJennifer ErsekNC PRAMS
dataPhysical activity and post-partum depressive
symptomsPublication in JOGNN8Success stories with independent
studiesViews and Intentions towards Pregnancy StudyApproached by 2
undergraduates, 6 graduate studentsLearned how to plan a study,
collect dataResulted in pilot data, publication, 2 thesis topics
for involved students9Chairing thesis committeesWhat may not
workSaying yes to everyoneNot being involved in development of
objective, hypothesesNot being actively involved in analysis,
writing
10Chairing thesis committeesWhat does workBe choosey!Have
specific deadlines, be firm and realistic about themMore work
upfront means less work later11Success stories with thesis
committeesChantel MartinNHANES dataMicronutrients and development
of uterine fibroidsBest Paper awards, publication in JWHJordan
LyerlyNHANES dataBreakfast skipping and physical activityBest Paper
awards, publication in PHNLauren GrahamNC PRAMS dataBMI, weight
gain and C-sectionsRevise/resubmit in Birth: Issues in Perinatal
Care12Some thoughts about mentoring junior facultyLittle things can
make a big differenceOffering to read a manuscript, reappointment
materialsSharing thoughts about teaching, teaching observationsDont
necessarily need to be senior to make a difference13Mentoring:
Lessons learnedBe choosey!Its okay to say no!You cant say yes to
everyoneNeed to know your limitsBut give them guidance as to who to
approachIts okay to be greedy!It is not wrong to want an end
product that benefits the student AND you
14Mentoring: Lessons learnedBe respectful, encouraging,
helpfulMany times you hear they arent getting advising they
needRemember they are students and need guidanceThey dont know
everything! Tap into what they are passionate about, but know your
limitsPass on your knowledgeThey want to learn, many look up to
youIt is okay to be friendly with your studentsBarriers are good,
but it is okay for your students to see you as a real personStay in
touch with your former students
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