Frequently Asked Questions
Legal Disclaimer
Please note that mentors have volunteered to be listed on this site. The Michigan Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience verified institutional affiliations as of the time of a mentor's inclusion in the database, but did not otherwise screen individuals in any way. The inclusion of a listing here does not constitute or imply endorsement or approval by the Michigan Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience or the universities, colleges, or companies affiliated with these individuals.
Why do I need to register in order to participate?
A mentor-mentee relationship rests on trust and authenticity as well as a measure of vulnerability. It is imperative that all participants are verified members of Michigan universities, colleges, or STEM-related companies
Who can see my profile?
Mentor profiles are searchable by student members of the Bureau. Student profiles are only shared with candidate mentors when students initiate contact through this website. All profiles are visible by site administrators but will not be shared with any other entities.
Can I be removed from the site?
Members, whether mentor or student mentee, can always elect to delete their profiles. Site administrators reserve the right to remove mentors or student mentee profiles for any reason, especially in the event of inappropriate behavior.
How do I report inappropriate behavior or discuss any concern?
If you have a concern about mentor/mentee behavior, please bring these concerns to the attention of Chapter representatives. Use this Contact Form, which can be submitted anonymously if desired. Reported incidences of insensitive, disrespectful comments will be addressed with offending individuals. A history of making insensitive comments or the use of racist, sexist, ableist, or otherwise discriminatory language or behavior will be cause for removal from the Bureau.
Resources
Mentoring across identities
Below are some resources for exploring why mentoring across identities is critical to cultivating a sense of belonging:
Mentoring Across Identities in STEM, from Emory University
"Looking at Myself in the Future", an article by Atkins et al., 2020.
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Online mentoring
From togetherplatform.com, online mentoring can be a cost-effective, flexible, efficient means of accessing a larger pool of mentors and mentees. Yet, it can present some challenges such as loss of non-verbal cues, technology issues, difficulty in developing rapport). This platform may require more planning, goal-setting, focus during meetings, and check-ins. Enjoying this approach? Consider even larger networks such as https://nrmnet.net/.
Mentor and mentee responsibilities: Getting the most out of mentoring
These virtual connections, and really any mentoring experience, only works if there is mutual respect, effort to connect, active participation, confidentiality, trust, flexibility, and openness to new ideas. Check out these tips on building a better mentor-mentee relationship.
Tips for expanding your mentoring network
Unsure how to ask someone to mentor you? Check out these tips from Yale University.
Legal Disclaimer: The inclusion of a listing here does not constitute or imply endorsement or approval by the Michigan Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience or the universities, colleges, or companies affiliated with these individuals.
Mentor Bureau Contact: misfnconference@gmail.com
Michigan Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience