Opportunities for Jump-Starting an Academic Career Through Internship and Postdoctoral Training

Peter M. Monti, Ph.D.

Brown University

American Psychological AssociationToronto, Canada August 8, 2009

Located on Narragansett Bay 50 minutes from Newport and Boston World-renowned CAAS World-renowned B. Med Ctr

On a more serious note…◦Internship

Clinical Excellence Research Excellence

◦Mentors Not just Big Guns, but available Big Guns

◦Variety of Training Experiences Multiple Tracks Transdisciplinary

Access to:◦Patient populations◦Existing data sets◦Research infrastructure◦Developing grant writing skills

Options for postdoctoral training◦T32s◦Project Directorships◦Room to grow

For an R01, R21, or K Award

• Positive role model• Facilitator of professional socialization• Advisor on career goals and paths• Promoter of scholarly values and scientific integrity• Nurturer• Teacher (how to give a talk, say no, etc.)• Advocate• Helps to resolve difficult scientific and personal issues• Shows collaboration/respect for intellectual property• Discusses balance between life and work

• Easy to talk to

• Available

• Excited about scientific inquiry and transmits it

• Knowledgeable

• Trustworthy

• Nurtures rather than clones

• Helps strategize for good relationships

• Explains and advises about relevant departmental and academic policies

• Helps to navigate politics, internal and external

• Research area (content)

• Scientific methods and publication

• Professional Development

• Funding

• Identification and Development of Goals

• Balancing Life and Work

• Skill based: (e.g., How to give a Job Talk)

• Prioritizing

• Time management

• Advise on relevant departmental and academic policies

• Life

1. Commit to making the partnership a priority.

2. Listen. Guide. Support.

3. Take the initiative in the relationship.

4. Make it easy for your mentee to meet with you.

5. Respect your mentee’s time as much as you respect your own.

6. Be patient, sensitive and respectful, giving advice carefully.

7. Help your mentee explore options and understand the impact of different choices

Tips for the Mentor:

8. Be explicit with your mentee that you are only offering suggestions.

9. Do not divulge confidences.

10. If your mentee is interested, consider discussing how you have been able to balance work with personal life demands.

11. Share your failures as well as your successes.

12. Give your mentee open, honest feedback.

13. It is important not to confuse positive communication with a need for unwarranted praise or flattery.

14. When criticism is offered, it should be followed by constructive advice for improvement.

1. Commit to making the partnership a priority. You will get out of it as much as you put into it.

2. Discuss with your mentor your goals and objectives for the relationship.

3. Ask for advice and welcome constructive criticism.

4. Be considerate of your mentor’s time.

5. Listen to what your mentor has to say.

6. Be open to feedback. Seriously consider advice, even if your immediate reaction is not positive.

7. Provide feedback to your mentor about his/her effectiveness and any concerns you may have.

8. Show appreciation for the time and assistance given to you by your mentor.

9. Keep the door open with your mentor.

1.Limited Time

2.Lack of Knowledge/Skills

3.Over-dependence

4.Personality/Learning Style Mismatch