Understanding Aspects of Mentored Undergraduate Research Experiences and Participant Career Clarity

• In Event: Research on Undergraduate Science Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Undergraduate research can benefit students, resulting in persistence in their field, motivation, and career clarity. The relationship between the research mentor and student has been posited to be critical to the undergraduate research experience. This study used survey data from a structured undergraduate research program to better understand how aspects of mentorship support protègè career clarity. The analysis revealed that aspects of mentorship were not highly correlated with outcomes of career clarity and interest in graduate school. However, students personal characteristics, such as agency in learning, confidence unrelated to research, and general skills were more highly correlated with the two outcomes. More work must be done to understand the aspects of mentorship that support students’ career clarity.

Authors

• Alicia Batailles, Florida State University

• Sherry A. Southerland, Florida State University