Last week, I gave some general thoughts on finding good mentors as an undergraduate. This week, I'll talk a bit about finding mentors who share your beliefs. This is not in any way to minimize the value of mentors who have different views about life. I've learned valuable skills, knowledge, and virtues from mentors who had completely different assumptions about the way the world works. It's often quite helpful to have a mentor who will challenge your deepest beliefs about the world. But, as in most things, it's also … [Read more...] about Finding Mentors Who Share Your Faith
Mentoring
Finding Mentors as an Undergraduate
Everyone agrees that mentoring is important at every phase of an academic career, but finding mentors and growing in mentoring relationships can be a challenge. In follow-up to and to expand upon Resource for Grad Student mentoring of Undergraduates (5/29/2012). I'll be doing a series on finding and growing in mentoring relationships as an undergraduate and grad student. I'd welcome comments and stories. Later in the series I'll give a few thoughts on finding mentors as a graduate student, maintaining and growing in … [Read more...] about Finding Mentors as an Undergraduate
Resource for Grad Student mentoring of Undergraduates
In a recent visit to Baltimore, I ate lunch with a group of Johns Hopkins University (JHU) graduate students. Dwight Schwartz (InterVarsity's Graduate & Faculty Ministry Area Director for the MidAtlantic and Campus Staff Member at JHU) couldn't wait to introduce me to Lisa, whose labors align so well with the passions and vision of the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN). As a first year graduate student, Lisa organized a mentoring program in which graduate students serve as mentors for undergraduate students. What … [Read more...] about Resource for Grad Student mentoring of Undergraduates
Finding a Postdoc in the Sciences: Starting Your New Position
Kelly Seaton concludes her series on finding a postdoc in the sciences. Previously: One Postdoc's Journey, Where Should I Begin?, Identifying the Right Position, Nailing the Interview. Kelly is also working on a list of resources for finding a postdoc, which we'll publish as soon as it's ready. I think one of the happiest days in a grad student's life (next to the day after the defense!) is the day that a postdoc position is finalized and accepted. It is exciting to think about the possibilities that are ahead, … [Read more...] about Finding a Postdoc in the Sciences: Starting Your New Position
Who Are Your Heroes?
In the current issue of Christianity Today, Ted Olsen writes: Rice University sociologist D. Michael Lindsay says that of the evangelicals in cultural leadership he has studied, most notably for his 2007 book Faith in the Halls of Power, 39 percent named [William] Wilberforce, C. S. Lewis, or both men as their personal hero or icon. I'll admit —I don't put much stock in personal heroes. Not because of their personal failings, though —Olsen's article looks at revelations from Stephen Tomkin's new book The Clapham Sect … [Read more...] about Who Are Your Heroes?