A graduate student mentoring program to develop interest in research.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of a graduate student mentoring program on student interest in research and postgraduate education and on graduate student confidence in mentoring.


METHODS
Undergraduate and pharmacy students (mentees) and graduate students (mentors) were matched and participated in the study, which required them to engage in at least 2 discussions regarding research and careers. Mentees completed a pre- and post-assessment of their perceptions of research, postgraduate training plans, and perceptions about mentors. Mentors completed a pre- and post-assessment of their perceptions about themselves as mentors and their confidence in mentoring.


RESULTS
Although there were no significant differences among the mentees' perceptions of research or the mentors' confidence in mentoring, qualitative analysis indicated that the mentees' perceptions of research improved and that the mentors believed their mentoring skills improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of the qualitative analysis, implementing a graduate student mentoring program may help improve students' perceptions of research and graduate students' confidence in mentoring, which could increase student interest in postgraduate education and prepare mentors for future leadership roles.
Purdue University College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN, USA. mekiersma@manchester.edu
Mary E
ME
Kiersma
Nicholas
N
Hagemeier
Aleda M H
AM
Chen
Brittany
B
Melton
Marwa
M
Noureldin
Kimberly S
KS
Plake
D002321:Career Choice; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods; D004514:Education, Pharmacy, Graduate / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D012106:Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*