Help your students and postdoctoral fellows realize their worth

Abstract

Hallmarks of a wonderful lab include exciting projects, collaborative publications, and students and postdoctoral fellows who have found good jobs. The head of the lab knows how to and is willing to pass along skills, guidance, and networking opportunities for regional and national recognition to other members of the lab. Strategies will be discussed for providing access to funded grant proposals, manuscripts in preparation, and lab protocols. A “one-pager,” which includes career goals, research goals, and planned time off, can be solicited and posted digitally for open access by lab members. Additionally, each student and postdoctoral fellow can be encouraged to write an individual development plan that identifies career goals, objectives necessary for achieving career goals, professional development needs, and progress toward achieving career goals. Examples of a “one-pager” and an individual development plan will be discussed. Mentoring students and postdoctoral fellows is one of the most important things that can be accomplished, as the impact will be long term.