Interactive Process Between Doctoral Mentorship and Research Skills, Self-Efficacy, and Career Goals Over Time

• In Event: International and Mentoring Graduate Students

Abstract

Ph.D. student’s major advisors are influential to students’ development. Often, advisors serve as mentors who provide a critical source of support and funding for research opportunities intended to help students develop skills and outcomes necessary for success. In the present study, we evaluated the extent to which mentoring both influenced and was influenced by factors related to career success, such as research skill development, self-efficacy, and career goals. We evaluated the bidirectional relationship over the course of five years of graduate study. Results showed that mentoring was not a predictor of these outcomes. Instead, these outcomes were predictors of students’ mentoring experiences. Additional findings, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Authors

• Kaylee Litson, Utah State University

• David F. Feldon, Utah State University