Being a Proactive Mentee Radha Pyati Department of Chemistry, UNF Noodles & Networking: A Minority Faculty Networking Community Monday, October 26, 2015

Creativity and Originality are Essential Elements of our Research and Creative Work We have lots of freedom in academia to pursue our very original ideas for research and creative work (RCW) But IMITATION is a great tool also.

Imitation Can Help Create and Develop a Successful Structure for RCW  Mechanics of how we move our RCW forward can be imitative grants, fellowships, contracts, etc: generally our “support channels”  And often should be imitative (no need to reinvent the wheel)  New, untried avenues can succeed too, and are more fruitful when we can find a successful model  It’s wise to choose similar support channels as those who have found successful support channels in past  A mentor gives you a concrete example to imitate

A Mentor Can Help in Lots of Areas Funding and support for RCW Intellectual/creative directions in RCW Teaching Navigating tenure/promotion Building a career in academia Career growth outside academia Work-life balance issues Gender/race issues Each one of us can have a phalanx of mentors, each of whom helps with certain areas

It’s OK to be Reluctant! We’re willing to ask for help in some areas We’re reluctant to ask in other areas That’s natural! It’s OK not to want help in some areas, but wherever we are willing, let’s make the most of being a mentee

“Hard Work” and Unwritten Rules Perception: “All it takes is hard work and success will follow.” Overlooks the unwritten rules of a job, and the relative value placed on different aspects of your job duties. For example, –developing new courses versus implementing technology –pubs vs. grants (yes, you have to choose one or the other at certain times) –book vs. several articles Usually people who feel they have succeeded solely due to “hard work” have picked up the unwritten rules and values unconsciously through their departmental culture and mentors. SEEK OUT the unwritten rules and values! A mentor can help you see, articulate, and align your “hard work” with these rules/values, so that your work product meets expectations.

Different Styles of Mentoring Some mentors are … –very proactive, and they … Give you advice and support Bring opportunities to your attention Nominate you for things to build your career/vita Tell you (respectfully) when you need a course correction –busy – you catch 5 minutes and ask a specific question –self-effacing. They… Feel as though they just “fell into” success with no deliberate plan (or so they think) Even make you feel weird for asking questions So graciously accept whatever they have to give and don’t return to someone who makes you uncomfortable

Almost-Peer Mentors “Mentor” need not imply a huge experience differential (senior/junior relationship) S/he can be someone who is a peer in most respects but a little ahead of you in RCW, tenure, etc. What matters is sharing benefits of their experience and not reinventing the wheel Mentor or competitor? Choose people and topics where you feel comfortable freely sharing your concerns and accepting input

An Exercise: Your Vision Describe your imaginary vision of what you want your RCW to look like in 2-3 years. Include both broad outlines and lots of details like journal titles, grants, fellowships, exhibit/performance spaces, conferences, panels, numbers of students involved, budgets… Prompt: “In 2-3 years, my RCW program will …”

Whose Work Matches your Vision? List 3-5 people whose current RCW looks closest to your vision. –Can be inside or outside UNF –Can be people you know personally or people you know only by reputation

Articulating Your Need-to- Knows Review your vision and write at least three questions about how to get there. Some suggested prompts… –“Would you mind sharing your successful …?” –“What small steps built up to your getting …?” –“What does Journal XYZ look for…?”

People Who Match Do you know these people personally? Do you consider them a professional friend? (Do you have a bond?) If so, make the contact: buy them coffee, meet for lunch … or phone them ( is nice but personal touch is memorable) Ask your question(s)

If You Don’t Know Them … Make a point of meeting them at a conference Cold-write them A sample script: –“Hi, my name is Suzie Q, I’ve admired your work, and I’ve wondered, how did you build a track record to get an NSF grant? Would you consider sending me a copy of your successful proposal?”

Specific Funding Opportunities Seek specific mentoring/advice for particular opportunities Go to funding source’s website database of successful proposals (NSF, NIH, NEH, NEA have them), get names of PIs and write them Call agency/foundation program officer –Ask for successful proposals or names of grantees –Ask them for tips for success –Prog ofcrs are busy but they do want to cultivate talented scholars/artists and increase “proposal pressure” – the number of proposals submitted to their wonderful agency