Supervising an Undergraduate Student

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Develop your leadership and teaching skills by mentoring a student in the lab
Posted On: September 03, 2020
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Supervising an undergraduate student is a great way to develop leadership and teaching skills and can be a rewarding experience.

By ORT Times Science Writer Laura Aronoff

Supervising an undergraduate student can be a rewarding and beneficial experience for postdoctoral trainees and graduate students. Developing leadership, project management and teaching skills is always useful whether you are considering a job within or outside academia. At the same time, undergraduate students get a feel for academic research and may help them decide if they would like to pursue graduate work—perhaps even in your lab. Here are some strategies to consider if you are looking to supervise an undergraduate student.

It is essential to choose an appropriate project before finding a student. Some factors to consider when selecting a project include the academic worth and feasibility for the student. Think of projects that could be accomplished within the given time a student has, whether that be working full-time or part-time. A project that has a simple question to be answered or is a small part of a larger ongoing study is a good place to start. Ideally, the project should be both interesting and worthwhile for you and the student. Importantly, be realistic about the choice of project and expectations; be prepared to adjust as needed.

Most undergraduate students have limited research experience, and this opportunity may be their first one. Think of the techniques and skills needed for the given project. Is this an established protocol within your lab? How much oversight do they need? Do they need special training or access to particular facilities? Can they work remotely? Answering these questions can help you decide how difficult the project might be and allot extra time for training.

Once you have a good idea of a project, discuss with your supervisor how best to select potential students and interview them. By being involved in the selection process, you can meet the candidates directly and decide if that student is someone you might like to work with.

Remember, the interview goes both ways: be prepared to answer questions about the project and your expectations, and be ready to ask about the candidate’s previous research experience and why they are interested in the project and your lab.

Once your undergraduate student has started, set clear deadlines and expectations to guide their progress. Give them opportunities to build both hard and soft skills. Offer them the chance to observe other techniques that may be of interest but not directly related to their project. Having them present their proposal, findings or a related research paper at lab meetings or journal clubs is a great and positive way to practice communicating their research with peers.

Encourage summer students to apply to available summer undergraduate student research scholarships. The award benefits both them and the lab as it is something they can add to their CV in addition to covering their salary.

There are some restrictions for hiring undergraduate students at UHN due to COVID-19, however, you can start thinking about whether you might like to supervise an undergraduate student and how they can contribute to your research.