In today’s blog post, we’ll tackle the daunting challenge that many early clinical researchers face: finding the right research mentor. This is the first of a three-part “How to Find a Research Mentor” series where I will share my experiences to guide you on this journey.

Finding a mentor can be challenging, especially when your research area is specialized or when you’re at the beginning of your academic journey. However, securing a mentor who aligns with your academic and professional goals is not just beneficial; it is essential. A good mentor provides invaluable guidance, network connections, and insights that shape your career. Without such guidance, you may find it difficult to navigate the complexities of clinical research, potentially hindering your career progress and development.

Unfortunately, early in the research career, we are often not sure where to start.

The most common mistake is narrowing your search to the best researchers in your field.

The best researcher will not necessarily be the best mentor. Remember the best players will not always make the best coaches.

Additionally, this decision should be as personalized and organic as finding a good friend. As the saying goes, there are no best universities but the best university for the student (i.e., YOU). The same is true for mentors: there are no good mentors, but only good mentors for the mentee (i.e., YOU).

Other common mistakes that often lead to ineffective mentor searches are:

• Looking for a mentor without a clear understanding of what they need from the mentorship. Generic requests such as: “ Will you be my mentor?”
• Failing to build a personal foundation in your field making it difficult to engage effectively with potential mentors at the right level.
• Relying solely on your immediate academic or professional environment.
• Not considering a potential mentor’s previous mentoring style or the trajectory of their mentees.

Instead of a scattershot approach to finding a research mentor, we can adopt a more strategic and personalized plan:

1. Don’t focus on your NEEDS but what you can OFFER

Before seeking a mentor, consider what you bring to the table, not just what you need. As with most things in life, mentorship is a two-way street. While it is important to be strategic about what you are looking for in a mentor (expertise in a specific area of clinical research, guidance on manuscript writing, or career advice), clarity about your own contributions can set the stage for a fruitful mentorship.

I learned this the hard way during my early career. At professional conferences, my approach was all about what I could get: access to more datasets, more contacts, and more information. This strategy not only failed but also made me appear desperate. The breakthrough came when I switched from asking to offering. Inviting experts to collaborate on a nearly finished project led to some of the most engaging and productive conversations of my career. This shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance not only boosted my confidence but opened up a world of possibilities. You become more appealing to potential mentors and collaborators who are likely to be drawn to your enthusiasm and initiative.

By focusing on what you can OFFER, you create more meaningful connections and open yourself to unexpected opportunities. Successful relationships rely on mutual benefit and growth.

2. Make yourself WORTHY of the mentor you are looking for

This might be somewhat counterintuitive, but before reaching out, you should do everything you can to build up to the level at which you can meet your mentor. Ensure that you are on a similar intellectual and professional wavelength as your potential mentor. Before getting a formal training in clinical research, I and my mentor were not talking at the same frequency. It was only after I had completed about a year of my Masters in clinical and translational research program, I felt more connected to my mentor. This is when we started our first project together.

Practical tip: Engage in online courses or small projects related to your field to show continual learning and commitment. Abstract presentation at a conference may not take a lot of effort and have a big plus on your resume.

3. Start with your institution but don’t hesitate to go beyond

Your own university or institution is a great starting point. Look for faculty members who are involved in research that interests you. Attend departmental seminars and guest lectures to get familiar with the work senior researchers are doing. These events are not only educational but also provide networking opportunities that could lead to mentorship. I have been fortunate to have guidance from some great mentors at my institution, but I have found the need to reach out to outside experts on a project-specific basis.

Extend your search beyond your immediate environment by engaging in professional networks, attending conferences, and enrolling in courses that offer networking opportunities with potential mentors. I got matched to my current primary mentor through a professional mentorship program in my field.

Practical tip: Again, make every effort to present abstracts at professional conferences. This will help you engage with potential mentors in the best possible way. Then see which sessions your potential mentors are talking at. Attend these and introduce yourself and express your interest after they are done with their talk.

4. Attend a formal course or cross-disciplinary fellowship

Although this might cost you some dollars upfront, this approach can have dual benefits. In addition to improving your knowledge and skills in the area, an often discounted benefit of taking formal courses or training is getting to know experts in the field and network building. The speakers are usually experts in the field and now that you know them personally, it will make it a lot easier to approach them.

This strategy might especially be very helpful when you are looking for mentors outside your field. For example, I was having a difficult time finding a genetics mentor as this was a new field for me (I have done mostly epidemiological studies). However, taking a formal genetics course at my institution recently not only helped me build a good foundation but also introduced me to a range of mentors within different subfields of genetics.

5. Utilize Professional Networks in and outside of your field

Professional networks, both online and offline, can be invaluable in finding a mentor. Join relevant professional associations, attend conferences, and participate in workshops. These platforms often offer mentorship programs or can facilitate introductions to established researchers in your field.

LinkedIn and other social media platforms are also powerful tools for identifying potential mentors. Search for researchers and industry leaders who share your interests, and review their publications and professional activities. LinkedIn’s alumni tool can be particularly useful for connecting with graduates from your program who are now established in their fields.

I started attending the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meetings and workshops in the second year of my internal medicine residency. I even got matched with my current primary mentor through their mentorship program. Therefore, my primary mentor has been someone outside of my institution and so have all other project-specific mentors. And most of these mentors are outside of my field, which would have been difficult to get access to otherwise. There are really no boundaries in today’s virtually connected world. All my mentor meetings are virtual.

6. Consider a Research Mentor’s Mentoring History

When evaluating potential mentors, consider their history and style of mentorship. Some researchers may be excellent in their fields but have little interest or time to mentor. Others might not be at the top of their fields but are known for cultivating talent and advancing the careers of their mentees. Reach out to current or former mentees for insights into their experiences with the mentor. This can give you a clearer picture of what to expect and how you might benefit from their guidance.

How much time the mentor can provide you is a more important criterion than simply the reputation of the mentor in your field.

In summary, despite the challenges of finding a mentor in a specialized field, remember that many researchers understand these challenges and appreciate mentees who are more proactive. By broadening your search, personalizing your outreach, and enhancing your resume, you position yourself as a valuable candidate for mentorship.

This Week’s Action Step

• Identify Three Potential Mentors: Use the above insights and your newly broadened criteria to identify at least three potential mentors. We will discuss a tailored approach to reach out to them next week.
  
• Start a Small Research Project or Enroll in an Online Course: Choose a project or a course that adds a valuable skill to your resume, which can be a talking point when you communicate with potential mentors.

That’s it for today. Remember, the path to finding a great mentor is often through building yourself first and identifying areas of mutual benefit. Next week, we will continue the discussion on how best to approach your three potential mentors.

Meanwhile, if you are working on a research project or writing an abstract/manuscript to upscale your resume, you could find my manuscript writing template here helpful.