BUILDING YOUR MENTORING NETWORK IN YOUR EARLY CAREER

Abstract

The pursuit of knowledge, curiosity about the natural world, and a drive to better the human condition, are several of the many motivations which encourage someone to further their education in the biological sciences. However noble the intentions, success in an academic graduate program, and perhaps more importantly, in the career options that follow, is not guaranteed. While it is often said that a trainee needs support from their mentors and network in order to succeed, the ATVB Early Career Committee (ECC) has observed, through our many interactions, both face to face and in the virtual space, that many trainees do not appreciate that building their mentoring network is an active process, and the trainee has more agency in the relationship than perhaps they perceive. In the article below we discuss our views on building relationships and identifying mentors at different levels and for different purposes. We also highlight events hosted by the ATVB ECC at Vascular Discoveries, Scientific Sessions, and in the virtual space that can help you at the critical career stage.

Graphical Abstract

Lab Networks

Your home lab group is your most obvious and readily available source of mentoring, however not all research groups are created equally. It is reasonable to expect that you will have to take an active role in finding the appropriate mentoring environment for you, in addition to fostering that environment when you arrive.

Choosing a research group to join is one of the hardest decisions any research trainee has to make, no matter the career stage. We often prioritize metrics like high profile publications, grant funding, or prestige over more qualitative considerations like the happiness of the group members. Finding a supportive and nurturing research environment is more important than finding a high-profile research topic, particularly early in your career. When picking labs, meet with multiple lab members one-on-one to get a sense of their experience, the work environment, and the mental wellbeing of the group. Ask about the mentoring style of the group leader. And ask the people you meet with what their expectations were upon joining the group. When that senior graduate student tells you they love their lab, that sentiment will land differently if they also tell you, “All I wanted in a lab was to be left alone.” Meet with lab members at different career stages and find lab alumni that have a fresh perspective on their previous environment, having moved on to something new. After all of these conversations, hopefully you can synthesize the various responses and get a sense for what you might be getting yourself into.

Of course, the most important relationship you will have in your group is with the principal investigator. However, mentors and mentoring styles vary tremendously, and it’s unreasonable to believe that every PI will be suitable to your wants and needs. It is incumbent upon you to determine the “fit” of your potential new mentor. The best way to determine this is … to simply ask. Meet with them and inquire about their mentorship style. Importantly, share what you feel you will need from them and ask if they think this is a good match. This isn’t an easy conversation to have; however, establishing the expectations upfront is the best way to ensure a successful relationship. If you are polite and professional, then a group leader that is interested in mentorship will welcome such questions. Conversely, if you receive an answer that you really don’t like, then that’s probably all the information you need.

Beyond your direct supervisor, the members of your lab will be your other immediate sources of mentorship, and peer mentors can be some of the best in your career. It’s important to actively foster relationships between you and the members of your group, and not just assume that people will help you in your time of need if you’ve put no effort into the relationship. Grab a cup of coffee with that senior postdoc and ask them about their career journey. Go with everyone to that group activity that doesn’t sound super exciting. Establish an after-hours journal club or “research in progress” without the PI so you can foster peer mentoring. These types of activities pay dividends that aren’t always readily recognizable. It’s very easy to exist in isolation in a lab, which can be a dangerous situation when you find yourself in need of guidance. Take the time and work to build relationships within your group.

Your home lab will invariably be your main source of guidance and support, but not all labs will be able to provide you with your individualized needs. If you do your research up front, establish expectations with your direct mentor, and foster relationships with your group members, you can create a supportive and nurturing environment that can propel you to success.

Leveraging University Networks

The next valence of your network is the peers, colleagues, and more senior investigators in your department and institution. Graduate school and postdoctoral appointments are several years long, providing ample time to establish a strong base of your network pyramid.

Fellow grad students and postdocs are your peers now, and you will all rise through the ranks together. While some of you will stay in academia, many will also go to biotech or pharma companies, law or business school, science bureaucracy, or any of the myriad options available to a person with a PhD in the biomedical sciences. We promise you, these connections will be of great use in the future. The ATVB ECC often taps individuals from their training network to participate in many of the events we hold at Vascular Discoveries and Scientific Sessions. Take time to foster relationships with your colleagues at this career stage, as you will likely utilize them down the road. “But how does one DO this?” cries the graduate student while re-running their western blot for the third time. The simplest, obvious, but yes, difficult answer, is to just put yourself out there. Block your calendar for at least one hour a week and write “networking” in that space, even if at first that hour is you just walking along the halls making eye contact. Join or start a grad student/postdoctoral fellow association. Organize a viewing of “Picture A Scientist”, start a peer writing group where you share feedback with each other, or establish brown bag lunches with visiting speakers or senior faculty at your university. These events do take some of your time and require effort, but they rarely go unnoticed; in the eyes of your peers and more senior colleagues, you’ll likely be seen as a proactive contributor to your local scientific community.

This local network also includes your staff scientists, lab managers, and research technician colleagues – they are the lynchpins that keep labs running efficiently and convey essential information as trainees’ cycle in and out. You likely go to these people for technical help, but they also can provide important day-to-day details in a letter of support for your next position. They also are likely to have skills that translate to myriad career paths – organization, time management, short and long-term project management, and having difficult conversations with their supervisor. No matter your career objectives, these are translational skills that you need to develop outside of your bench work.

Lastly, more senior investigators not in your direct mentoring circle will fill out your local network, and you can use them to practice some non-bench skills. One that is necessary in any career is talking to strangers, likely about yourself. Overcoming the fear of doing this is essential to successfully networking in your next gig, academia or otherwise. Make it a goal to introduce yourself to someone after you have seen them talk. Tell them you like their talk, and give them a 30 second elevator pitch of your research. They will likely be very pleasant, ask you more about your research, and maybe even remember you in the future.

These are just a few examples on how and why your local network is important. It’s also safe. The stakes are low so use this time to step out of your comfort zone to lay a foundation of colleagues and skills that you can leverage for advice and connections later on.

Society Networks

Find a scientific society that you can grow with. Big or small, both provide tremendous opportunities to help launch your career. Larger societies, such as the American Heart Association (AHA) that cover all the cardiovascular sciences, tend to target a major scientific discipline. Smaller societies, such as the Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB), narrow their focus to a specialized field. Conferences provide opportunities to seek peer support and mentorship, network with scientists in your field, and importantly attract attention to yourself and your research.

Big meetings are great for keeping up with scientific research and the latest discoveries and technological advances in your field. These are also a great choice if you are looking for a job or seeking collaborators outside of your immediate expertise. Plan ahead and know who is presenting and chose the most relevant of the concurrent sessions. Ask questions and when you do, state your name first. Identify individuals who may serve as mentors and don’t be afraid to contact them to make plans to meet up. Come prepared: establish career development goals for yourself and solicit advice on specific aspects. Poster sessions are great for learning, networking and having more personal conversations. Be sure to view the abstract booklet ahead of time to select the most relevant posters and maximize your time at the session.

Bigger isn’t always better. Smaller meetings provide more intimate space. For example, at Vascular Discovery organized by the ATVB Council, there are several notable networking events and workshops organized by the ATVB’s ECC, Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC), and Diversity Committee. These smaller events are your chance to connect with peers and senior members of the community. Have your “elevator pitch” ready and remember to not dismiss any interaction – be nice to everyone!

Do your research! Find out what tools and events are available to help you network and connect with potential mentors. Learn how you can actively participate. For example, sign up for the AHA Mentoring for Professionals program that partners new and distinguished AHA members, or apply to the ATVB Early Career Editorial Board created by the editors of the ATVB Journal to engage early career scientists and provide them with insight into the editorial process. Apply to things! When you submit an abstract, check if you are eligible to apply for career, travel or research awards. Not only are these a notable addition to your CV, but presenting your work at meetings draws attention to you and your science. Delivering a good talk is a hugely important skill for junior scientists and thus preparation and practice are key. It’s essential you ask mentors and peers to review your presentation slides and practice several times.

Your society network has the potential to help launch and propel you forward in your early career. Venture out of your comfort zone. Will there be awkward moments? Yes. Will there be failures? Maybe. But you can’t win if you don’t try. Persistence and a positive attitude will help you create a mentor and peer network that provides the advice and constructive criticism you need at your career stage. Society networks are an excellent place to develop these networks outside of your university.