Who May Serve as a Co-Mentor?
Mentors often assign another member of the laboratory group to provide day-to-day
supervision of SURF students. Co-mentors may be senior graduate students,
postdoctoral scholars, technical staff, or other colleagues.
The Role of a Co-Mentor
While faculty or JPL technical staff mentors have overall professional, safety, and
financial responsibility for summer students, they may assign a co-mentor
to provide the day-to-day oversight of the student and project. The role
of the co-mentor will vary from group to group, and co-mentors should consult
with their advisors to determine the degree of responsibility they will have
for a student. Some co-mentors will be given full responsibility and authority
for supervising a student; others will provide limited oversight or guidance.
The primary role of the mentor/co-mentor team is to serve as
senior partners in collaboration with the student. It is important that
the student be offered—and eventually accept—intellectual responsibility
for his/her own project, but for most students the project will be the first
research experience, so the mentor and co-mentor also have to be a teacher
and a coach as well as a partner.
The role of the co-mentor also includes the following:
Mentors are invited to write an Announcement of Opportunity (AO)
outlining the background, motivation, and objectives of the project and the
nature of the work the student will do. Prospective co-mentors should consult
with their advisors if they would like to put a project forward as a SURF project. Mentors might also ask for your input in this process.
Mentors may ask co-mentors to consult with the student on the
planning of the project and review a draft of the student's proposal. Note
that the proposal should be the student’s product; the mentor may not
write it, but may and should provide advice and guidance during its preparation.
Mentors and co-mentors must be aware of the date of arrival of
the student and make relevant preparations, including providing a place for
the student to sit, a computer, and a telephone.
During the first week after the student’s arrival, the
student will be required to attend a Safety Orientation Meeting. Following
the meeting, the mentor, co-mentor or laboratory safety officer must review
with the student the Workplace Specific Safety Orientation Checklist for students
and, with the student, sign the form. The student must return the signed
form to the Student-Faculty Programs Office.
Throughout the summer students will need to submit progress reports
and an abstract which need to be approved by the mentor. Co-mentors can provide students guidance in drafting their reports.
Collaborate with the student in writing the abstract and final
report. The final report must be submitted electronically by the fourth Friday
in September. Mentors will receive a prompt from the SFP Online system to approve
the paper online. November 1 is the deadline for approved final reports. Co-mentors
cannot approve the final report.
Help the student prepare for the final presentation, normally
given during the third week in August or on the third Saturday in October.
A final presentation, either oral or poster, is a requirement for all the students in SFP-sponsored programs.
Mentors and co-mentors are invited to introduce the student at
the oral presentation. We encourage lab groups to attend the presentation to
support and encourage the student!
Contact the Student-Faculty Programs Office [Email us at sfp@caltech.edu or
call 626.395.2885] if administrative problems arise.
Expectations for Co-Mentors
In addition to providing day-to-day support, co-mentors offer important guidance
and coaching to undergraduate researchers. Here are some expectations
for co-mentors:
- Encourage and guide students toward intellectual ownership of
project.
- Include student as a colleague in all aspects of research. You
might consider requiring students to attend group meetings; including students
in research discussions; and inviting students to participate in lab/group
social activities.
- Help initiate interaction with mentors. The face-to-face
time students get with mentors differs from group to group. This interaction
is important in helping students develop academically and professionally. Consider
setting up a series of joint meetings where you and the student can discuss
the project with the mentor.
- Provide advice, encouragement, guidance, and wisdom. If you notice that a student is struggling with research, academic, or personal issues, please contact the SFP office immediately.
- Practice clear communication around expectations, project outcomes,
and lab/group culture.
- Encourage students to take some time and reflect on the project
and research.
- Lead student to develop new ways to approach problems.
- Discuss academic and professional paths.
Co-Mentor Advisory Council
The Co-Mentor Advisory Council serves as liaison between the SURF/MURF/Amgen
Scholars co-mentors and the Student-Faculty Programs office. They also assist
in the planning and implementation of training and support programs.
Co-Mentor Training and Support
A co-mentor workshop is held in June to provide training and support
for co-mentors and those mentoring students for the first time. The workshop
is given by experienced mentors and co-mentors who will give advice and
tips from their experience and observations. It is a good opportunity for
co-mentors to ask questions and get information and resources.
For additional tips on mentoring, click here.
