A Graduate Student Mentoring Program to Develop Interest in Research

Abstract

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 postassessment 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.

Career preferences and attitude of first year Doctor of Pharmacy students toward pharmacy profession

“…Drug regulation was opted as preferred career choice by 21 (28.7%) students, clinical pharmacy by 18 (24.6%), hospital pharmacy by 11 (15), and teaching by 8 (10.5%). Factors involved in such selection were family influence (34.2%), anticipated income (24.6%), and personal interest (21.9%) [ Table 1].…”

“…It has been reported that uncertainty has been found among pharmacy students about research-related careers and postgraduate studies. [15,16] …”

Attitude of fourth year Doctor of Pharmacy students towards pharmacy profession and their career preferences

“…Moreover, uncertainty has been found among pharmacy students about research-related careers. [17] CONCLUSION Fourth year students believed that pharmacy education and practice affect the health care system. Their favorite career areas were clinical pharmacy, industrial pharmacy, and hospital pharmacy.…”

Research Fellowship Programs as a Pathway for Training Independent Clinical Pharmacy Scientists

“…Institutions affiliated with fellowship training programs should consider having their fellows serve as mentors to students. This approach would not only help improve students' perceptions of research and increase their interest but would also help prepare fellows for future mentor‐leader roles …”

“…This approach would not only help improve students' perceptions of research and increase their interest but would also help prepare fellows for future mentor-leader roles. 8 Fostering collaborations through the development of undergraduate research programs would provide students with opportunities for mentored learning by allowing them to work closely with faculty and fellows on a scholarly project. Students should be expected to formulate clinically relevant questions, propose hypotheses and solutions, examine the proposed solutions, and effectively communicate the outcome.…”