Ask the right research questions to mentor.pptx

To ask the right research questions

1. Second First Third What are the pros, cons and concerns about each of your three lab options? What elements need to be present in a lab for you to be productive and achieve your academic and professional goals? What’s your decision decision-making style, and internal/external barriers? Your Options Your Preferences & Goals Your Process

2. First What are the pros, cons and concerns about each of your three lab options? You’ll reflect on your options

3. Reflecting on Your Options How You Work Best E nvironment that makes your feel productive & good Opportunities & Progress P rojects, Skills The PI S upervising skills, interaction frequency, graduation expectations, career goal support The People & The Lab F unding, work with peers, work-life integrations, time to graduation

4. Second What elements need to be present in a lab for you to be productive and achieve your academic and professional goals? You’ll articulate your preferences & goals

5. Articulating your Goals & Preferences Working relationship with PI (Check-In frequency, help vs. autonomy in developing projects) Career goals (Academic, non-academic, don’t know/would need to explore) Research area Developing skills (Techniques, presentation, publication, grantsmanship) Networking opportunities (Conferences, internships) Work-life integration (Hobbies, friends, family) Environment (Quiet, boisterous, competitive, collaborative) Hint: What did you like best in previous lab experiences?

6. Third Because HOW you make decisions is almost as important as the decisions you make. It needs to feel “satisfying” You’ll consider your decision making style

7. How do you approach decisions about the important things in your life? What increases your confidence that you’ve made the right decision? Data Driven or Intuitive? Procrastinating or Early Starter? Systematic or Organic? Theoretical or Experiential? Crowd Sourcing or Independent? 🡹 Confidence with Time? Your style affects your strategy Considering your decision-making style

8. Friends & Family Mentors Health Values Awareness of Your Options Time Limitations Conflict Avoidant Temperment Beliefs What internal & external factors are affecting your decision? Fear of Change Fear of Making a Mistake Personal Goals Geographical Limitations Financial Considerations

9. Putting it all together with your worksheets

10. Putting it all together with your worksheets (Cont.)

11. How to say “It’s not you” in person / by email Dear Diana/Dr. Prince, In person: Thank you so much for meeting with me. By email: I hope you’re well I wanted to let you know that I decided to join Bruce Wayne’s lab. I wanted to let you know as soon as I decided. Thank you for allowing me to rotate in your lab. I appreciated the opportunity and learned a lot. Thank you again. Regards, Peter