Be the Impact: A Graduate Student’s Role in Mentoring Undergraduates in Animal Science

In many research laboratories, there is a hierarchy of individuals and relationships; principal investigators, postdoctoral associates, research technicians, graduate students, and undergraduate students often work together to advance the research. These relationships provide unique opportunities for mentorship, in particular, mentorship of undergraduate students in animal science research. Undergraduate students involved in mentored research report increased curiosity, confidence, and independent learning. In addition, undergraduate research experiences increase retention in science and matriculation to graduate programs. This is often the undergraduate student’s first exposure to research, and may be a formative experience in their career. Graduate students are ideally positioned to provide direct mentorship to undergraduate students because of the degree of supervision required and teaching opportunities provided when conducting research projects. Importantly, this interaction may be the first opportunity for a graduate student to mentor a junior person, and therefore it is important that graduate students actively seek resources to curate and improve mentorship skills. This presentation will focus on ways graduate students can actively mentor undergraduate students in animal science research. In addition to teaching scientific skills, graduate students can develop relationships with, provide guidance to, model appropriate behaviors for, and provide encouragement and motivation to undergraduate researchers. For graduate student mentors, the mentoring experience develops leadership skills crucial for professional development and often provides personal satisfaction. Successful mentoring relationships provide positive experiences and lasting benefits for both undergraduate and graduate students, preparing both populations to better serve the animal science community.