TABLE 3.
Reported benefits of supervising undergraduate researchers
| Category | Example |
|---|---|
| Intrinsic | |
| Improved teaching and mentoring skills (22 advisors, 49 comments) | [Data got messed up because] I didn’t come talk to her. We didn’t have a weekly meeting.… As an undergrad, there isn’t necessarily that [ability to do it yourself] … The professor and I agreed that it was our responsibility to make sure we were more involved with the project.—Female postdoc, #12 |
| Personal rewards (i.e., friendship, feeling of doing something good) (22 advisors, 30 comments) | My career goal is to actually work at a primarily undergraduate institution so that I can work with undergrads, because I do find it to be one of the most rewarding parts of my research—Female graduate student, #16 |
| Deeper understanding of scientific concepts for advisor through teaching undergraduates (16 advisors, 23 comments) | He constantly raised my game.… Working with these bright young people, they ask questions that constantly keep you on your toes.—Male postdoc, #23 |
| Contributions to preparing future scientists (14 advisors, 19 comments) | It’s like [we] had a hand in training these people. Maybe they’ll come back [here], maybe not, but either way, they have their own experience [here] that they can say was a major impetus for them going on in science.—Female faculty, #8 |
| Increased energy and enthusiasm in the lab group (11 advisors, 12 comments) | They bring a fresh and fun perspective.… It’s just really, really fun, and I really, really enjoy that enthusiasm.— Female faculty, #6 |
| Instrumental | |
| Increased productivity (20 advisors, 31 comments) | I like to have undergrads. One good undergrad can get you a paper.—Male faculty, #14 |
| Career preparation for advisor (résumé building and mentoring experience) (22 advisors, 29 comments) | It definitely helps to be able to explain what you’re doing.… I’ll have people who will work for me [in the future]. Being able to explain to people is always a good communication skill.—Female graduate student, #1 |
| Long-term benefits to the research group through students who continue with the same lab for graduate school or career (10 advisors, 15 comments) | Many of the undergrads that are going through our program want to go to graduate school.… All of my new graduate students in the fall have done undergraduate research in our labs.—Male faculty, #3 |
| Prestige for the university or lab (7 advisors, 7 comments) | We had a couple of students go out to [an undergraduate research conference] and when they present well, it looks really well [for] the program.—Male postdoc, #18 |
| Help in recruiting future students (3 advisors, 5 comments) | Undergraduate research is an opportunity that plays a big role in this environment, and [it’s] not available in other college environments.—Male faculty, #3 |