{"id":27490,"date":"2023-09-14T10:33:41","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T14:33:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biology.mit.edu\/?page_id=27490"},"modified":"2023-09-18T22:56:44","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T02:56:44","slug":"enabling-trainee-learning-and-growth","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/biology.mit.edu\/internal\/enabling-trainee-learning-and-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"Enabling trainee learning and growth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Competencies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Mentor competencies<\/strong><\/td>\nMentor best practices<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nMentee competencies<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Discuss with your mentees how you can best support their training and ability to succeed.<\/td>\nIdentify and offer opportunities for training, information gathering, collaboration, and networking.<\/td>\nSelf-assess your capabilities and determine areas in which you need support. Discuss a plan for filling gaps with your mentor.<\/p>\n

Advocate constructively for your training needs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Conduct an effective onboarding process. E.g., make sure students have access to training resources and equipment.<\/td>\nPromote a lab dynamic that integrates newcomers into the group and helps orient them in the lab\/department\/institute.<\/td>\nSeek support from your mentor and others if you are asked to do something that you don\u2019t know how to approach.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enable\/support trainee learning and growth in experimental design, execution, troubleshooting, responsible research conduct, and mastering the literature.<\/td>\nFoster mentee research interests, creativity, and independence.<\/td>\nAssume responsibility, shared with your mentor, for intellectual ownership of your project and research directions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enable\/support trainee growth in scientific writing and oral presentations.<\/td>\nHelp trainees identify and attend meetings where they can present their work.<\/td>\nTake advantage of opportunities to practice and get feedback on your communication skills.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enable\/support trainee growth in working with others.<\/td>\nAs appropriate for their project and goals, encourage mentees to collaborate, develop relationships beyond your lab, and mentor others (e.g., a UROP or MSRP student).<\/td>\nTake advantage of opportunities to learn from, work with, or mentor others.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Communicate the strengths and limits of what you can offer as a mentor.<\/td>\nConnect mentees with resources for their research and\/or professional development beyond your lab.<\/td>\nRecognize the limits and strengths of what your mentor can offer, and work with your mentor (and others) to identify external training or sources of support, as necessary.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Suggestions\/Resources<\/h3>\n

Refer to the <\/em>Mentoring Resources page<\/em><\/a> for supporting materials and training opportunities.<\/em><\/p>\n