SUPERB GRAD MENTORS

Sheila HumphreysSummer 2004, UC Berkeley

The Survey Says:SUPERB mentoring takes 5-10 hours per studentMany graduate mentors have supervised undergraduate researchers or have been Graduate Student InstructorsAfter mentoring, graduate students suggest the following training:

How to select a good project for undergraduates How to get the students quickly up to speed and

started on their project Guidance on the amount of mentoring students need

Most faculty mentors are somewhat involved to very involvedMost challenging aspects of SUPERB mentoring:

Getting the student up to speed Defining a project

Graduate Mentors say:Motivation for being a SUPERB mentor:

“Get some hands-on experience of defining a project properly for students and working together with them to achieve the goal defined”

“Remembering the feeling of being lost when first starting research and hope to make it less scary for other students”

“Opportunity to make an impact on student preparing for graduate school”

“Get free research help!”

Aspects of the SUPERB mentoring that provided satisfaction:

“Seeing the student’s growth and excitement when the concepts “clicked.”

“Giving the student an independent role, with the sense of satisfaction of contributing to a larger effort.”

“Exchange of ideas; help with research; able to impart my knowledge and experience to someone else.”

A Few Helpful TipsInitiate contact with your student before they arrive on campusWhen creating a project, Think “Can they write a technical paper or present a

poster on this 8-week research project?” Have ideas about how to adjust the level of the

project Include milestones throughout the summer Be prepared to continue the project or create a new

related project, in case the student finishes early

To get the student up to speed, create a training plan for the first week.Talk with other graduate students or faculty who have mentored undergraduate students

SUPERB History

Founded in 1990: EECS grad students & SHMotivation: diversity in graduate poolUgrad research=admission to grad schoolProposal to UC Systemwide for diversity$NSF REU funding 1991-Results: SUPERB alums go to grad school

Structure of Program

8 weeks of full time research: what is full time for you, for your student?Faculty and graduate student mentoringGrad Mentoring is the KEY!Final presentations: posters and reports

Grad Mentor Tasks

Define a good projectConsult with your own ADVISORNot too hard and not too easyFeasible in 8 weeksDevelop goals and milestonesPart of your group’s big picture

Effective Coaching

Communicate your expectationsDon’t hover but be availableSet up regular meeting times: more at the beginningOffer technical assistanceDevelop support from within your whole groupFind a temp. substitute if you go away

More Mentoring

Introduce your student aroundShare your own experience of grad schoolTalk about your own goalsGo to lunch or dinner at I-HouseInvite your student to Donut Hour etcCome to SUPERB barbeque: July 2 Sensitivity to cultural differences (alcohol)Bring your group to Poster Session Aug 7

Presenting Research Results

Help student make great posters!Practice poster presentationsMake sure student presents once at your group meetingTrack progress of write-up of Final ReportReview drafts of Final Report

SUPERB Staff here to serve!

Erika Tate (EECS)overall coordinator for 14 EECS students;Beatriz Lopez-Flores & Tiffany Grant coordinate 5 COE studentsSusan Gardner resource for CHESS StudentsSheila Humphreys and Susanne Kauer=backup staffMayra Nieves=I House contact

HOW can staff help?

General information, referral, housingOrganize weekly meetingsTROUBLE SHOOTINGProgram logistics: payroll, keys, cmptrs,Social events or issuesResearch progressGraduate School and Grad Fellowship Advising

Rewards for Mentors

Management experienceChoosing & defining good research problemsProject monitoringTime management---FOSTERING YOUR STUDENT’S DEVELOPMENT$800 stipend payable end of August

Evaluation Data

Strong points: goals, orientation, overview of research at Berkeley“Feasibility of project for 8 wks”=mixedFaculty: “Feedback, Interest in students”=excellentFaculty: “Helpfulness, Approachability”=good-excellent