Information for Mentors | Co-Mentors | Mentoring
Tips
Who May Serve as a Co-Mentor?
Mentors often assign another member of the laboratory group to provide
day-to-day supervision of the Amgen Scholars. 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
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 an Amgen Scholars 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. Mentors may authorize a co-mentor to sign the reports in
their absence.
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 oral presentation,
normally given during the third week in August or on the third Saturday
in October. An oral report 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.
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 training and support
programs.
Co-Mentor Training and Support
Co-mentor workshops are held each May and June to provide training
and support for co-mentors and those mentoring students for the
first time. The workshops are 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.
