Connect with Potential Mentors
Exploring
The knowledge and insight you bring to the conversation is not always measured by your GPA. Due to the collaborative nature of most creative and academic work, the skills needed to succeed involve more than your technical abilities (and often despite them)—ranging from communication to creativity.
Whether in-person or online, preparing for your meeting with potential mentors can help reduce anxiety and improve outcomes.
Preparing to Meet
Before meeting with a potential mentor you should learn about their work and consider what you want from your experience.
Do Your Homework
Read at least one of their recent publications, which are usually listed on their department website profile. If they have a personal or lab website, learn what you can about their work and collaborators.
Ready Your Resume
Work with Career Services to discover your strengths, so you can discuss your personality and learning styles more effectively. Then, get your resume ready for positions in Boulder and beyond.
Develop Questions
Take time to write questions you'd like to ask when you meet your potential mentor, and bring them to the meeting. Consider your goals as you develop questions and use our list to inspire your thinking.
Meeting
As you meet with faculty, you should be prepared to discuss their work and ask about their expectations for students.
Your success will depend on:
Your understanding of
what the project entails
shared expectations
Your ability to
work with others
manage your time
Set Goals
- Get to know them and their work
- Learn about required skills, training, etc.
- Discuss preferred communication methods
- Establish shared expectations
- Look ahead on your calendars
First Contact Email
Template
Subject Line: Meeting Request to Discuss Research/Creative Opportunities
Dr./Professor Your Contact's Last Name,
I’m an undergraduate studying major(s)/minor(s) and currently exploring opportunities for undergraduate research/creative work.
I learned about your work (e.g. in arctic ecosystems on the department’s website) and would appreciate the opportunity to talk with you about it.
< Explain your motivation. >
I’m available for a meeting or call at the following times and am happy to find other times as needed.
Thank you,
Motivation
What interests you about and/or what questions do you have about their work?
e.g. “I read your article on…and am interested in learning more about…”
How does their work advance your academic and professional goals?
e.g. “I plan to…and think experience with…will help me…"
What do you bring to the potential partnership, noting relevant strengths, previous experiences, courses taken, and current activities?
e.g. “I’m comfortable doing…, have experiencing working with…, have taken courses in…, and am currently…
Discussion Questions
- Is your work more individual or team-based?
- If the work is team based, how often do members meet?
- What is your approach to working with undergraduates?
- What methods (resources, tools, theories, etc.) do you use in your work?
- What skills (training, certifications, prerequisites) would I need to work with you?
- How do you prefer to communicate (email, phone, text, etc.)?
- What initially interested you about your field of study?
- How did you get started? Who helped?
- What questions keep you going?
- What do you hope your work will accomplish?
- Can we meet again?
Explore funded, open opportunities mentored by CU Boulder faculty!
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) represents an opportunity to enable student-centered education that makes the most of CU Boulder’s global leadership in research and creative production. With well-documented benefits from persistence to postgraduate success, engagement in the research and creative life of the university can clarify career paths and prepare students for the future of work. Donations support empowering opportunities in all fields of study. Give Now.