How do you identify and approach potential mentors and advisors for your research career?

This introduction is kind of boiler plate and misses the point of effective mentoring. Think about the qualities that you admire in an ideal mentor and then try to engage two or three mentors by developing a sincere relationship with each one. It’s helpful to be mindful that successful relationships are based in part on mutual respect and admiration. Mentors are people with vastly different approaches that have aligned with their successes. If they admire your sincerity, work ethic, honesty, and so forth, they may be more likely to accept the time commitment. If you seek a potential mentor because they are a known “giver” but they sense that you are seeking a stepping stone connection it might not be a match.

Mentorship is built on trust and mutual respect. Approach potential mentors with authenticity and a genuine interest in learning from their experiences. Securing mentorship often requires persistence and more than one outreach. If your initial attempts to connect immediately, don't be discouraged. Follow up respectfully, demonstrating your continued interest and enthusiasm for the possibility of collaboration. Remember that mentorship is a two-way street, consider how you can contribute value to your mentor's endeavors. Whether it's assisting with their research projects, sharing relevant resources, or offering fresh perspectives, fostering a reciprocal relationship is key to long-term mentorship success.

Before even defining goals and needs, I think sometimes you need a mentor to tell you of the possibilities of a certain pathway or field. If we look at marginalized communities, where were the resources to give them exposure to these kinds of things? Or the quality of the exposure? Having a good mentor should mean that they have enough information to help guide you to multiple goals or needs as they come up. Or at least introduce you to someone that might be a better fit for you. This goes to the message at the bottom: rapport and trust.

I think a lot of academic mentors fail in trust. Sometimes you burn a bridge if you want to go into industry, sometimes you burn a bridge because your advisor is keeping you for cheap quality labor, sometimes you lose a mentor because they don't know how to help you through mental health struggles. Some of my best mentors have said a few things: The goal is to train you so that you're even better at this than me I'll help you find a job through my connections if the position here at this company doesn't fit with your goals. Let's sit down and figure out what we need to get you to where you want to be, even if that means you leaving the bench. Sometimes I even wish I had a mentor relationship like Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy in 30 Rock.

As a blind man and 64 years old, I'll check in on the side of the mentor viewpoint. I have been approached by any number of people over the years in the workplace I managed or owned. The best advice I can give, and it's old as the Hills. Yet it still rings true even now! It can be encapsulated into two words: BE YOURSELF! Then add 110% "spice of Truth. Yes it's really that simple! Follow this easy recipe, and you'll enjoy rich, mutually beneficial relationships with anyone you've chosen to approach in this way. Come to think of it, this should be everybody's daily goal! :) What do YOU think?

To me, a mentor is not only someone who has achieved, but also someone who has done so ethically. Too often, we are told to focus on the practical aspects of advice and help from a mentor and less on how to navigate the complex ethical landscape of most careers.

This is of key importance. We are living in an environment that has been and will continue to be transformed by computational methods, simulating human to human interactions. Distant emotionally, detached managers whose focus is bottomline only place a value on each human as a commodity. Be discerning and try to recognize whether you are perceiving only an outward show of warmth and connectivity with your issues and aspirations.