Identifying Research Areas of Interest and Finding a Mentor
Identify an area of interest. This can be related to your previous research or not. MS1 and MS2 years are times to explore.
Explore who is working in your area of interest through a variety of ways
Departmental websites
SRP database
Attending seminars and presentations like Grand Rounds
Joining specialty-specific Student Interest Groups
Listening, word of mouth, discussing with peers and faculty
Read papers of faculty in which you have an interest
Create a top 5 to 10 list of the faculty in your 1-2 areas of interest for research
Prepare an interest e-mail memo (see template under “Resources” tile)
Send the e-mail expressing interest to top 1 or 2 faculty. Cite references to research papers of the faculty member to support your interests.
Allow one week for a reply. Follow-up after one week. If no reply after two follow-ups – move on to another faculty member.
Continue down your list.
The most important part of finding a true mentor is not the research topic – it’s the relationship you build
Seek mentors with whom you can have a comfortable conversation
The first person you meet may not be the right fit; it is ok. Move on to the next option
For success – find a variety of mentors to cover your professional and personal needs – some may overlap, but it doesn’t hurt to hear from a variety of voices