Some of the best life lessons I've learned at Duke have come from the man who polices the chapel traffic circle every morning. Along with jewelry made of bike parts, Chance always dispenses inspiration.
My mentors come from all walks of life.
Unfortunately, many students never view the people they meet as potential mentors who are willing to offer inspiration and advice. Students rarely venture beyond their labs, departments or schools. The University has recognized that a lack of mentoring is an issue for every group. This year, the President's Commission on the Status of Women has identified mentoring as a primary concern.
The Graduate School recently called for nominations for the Faculty Mentoring Award to recognize faculty who are good mentors to graduate students. While this is a successful and effective initiative, Duke could do much more to promote these relationships.
Faculty promotion is currently based solely on research, publications and grant success. Adding a student evaluation component to tenure and promotion decisions would demonstrate Duke's commitment to teaching and mentoring and encourage faculty to view working with students as a crucial part of their jobs.
Many advising relationships start as friendships or meetings between people with similar interests. Simply bringing such people together and encouraging communication can spark such a relationship. Networking events or programs that allow participants to talk about their experiences enable people to support each other, which can be extremely important for students who are otherwise isolated in labs or offices. Currently, most such events are student-initiated. While administrators certainly support such programs, there should be periodic, University-sponsored events as well.
The Career Center is in a prime position to promote such initiatives. Career Week events, including the panel discussions with leaders in a number of fields, are a terrific way to meet Duke alumni who are willing to serve as mentors. The Career Center works with the Duke Alumni Association to put on this successful event each year, but few graduate or professional students attend. In order to attract these students, the events should be better marketed to and targeted at that population.
A website could bring together students and alumni around the world who are willing to answer questions and help students network. While this would leave out the personal component of mentoring, it would give students an additional resource. Currently, many alumni-student friendships are established over Duke sports-related mailing lists. Visiting alumni then meet and spend time with students when they visit campus.
I have been lucky to have had an effective collection of mentors in all aspects of my life. My academic advisor Michael Platt has provided me with all that I need to embark on a successful scientific career.
But just as important as mentors in our professions-and perhaps not as well-recognized-are the individuals we meet outside of the lab or classroom.
These other people help establish connections and resources useful for success and encourage valuable skills and personal qualities. Shannon Johnson, the former program coordinator at the Women's Center, helped me develop leadership and organizational skills.
Other mentors-just like Chance from parking-provide inspiration. Jackie Looney, associate dean of the Graduate School, has long been a role model, balancing motherhood with extremely passionate service for the graduate and professional student population. She has spoken freely to students about the difficulties she faced in finding her own career path. Her shared stories and supportive words have kept more than one graduate student from leaving Duke without a degree.
All these kinds of mentoring together improve the quality of life at Duke and enable the University to better recruit top students and faculty. With a few more of these initiatives, perhaps everyone here can experience the great mentoring that I have.
Heather Dean is a graduate student in neurobiology. Her column runs every other Wednesday.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.