We are looking for Elliott School masters students who are completing their degrees in May 2015 or later to serve as mentors for top undergraduates participating in the Elliott School Undergraduate Scholars program next year!
Through this exciting initiative, outstanding Elliott School juniors and seniors work with a faculty advisor to conduct independent research on an international affairs topic and produce a paper of at least 30 pages. The Undergraduate Scholars, who also receive a research stipend, meet weekly to learn research and writing skills, explore possible outlets to further their research (such as publication, conference participation, graduate study, Fulbright grants, and career paths), and provide each other with peer feedback.
In addition to working with a faculty advisor, another highlight of the program is that each Scholar is paired with a graduate student mentor. Mentors play a crucial role in the development of the undergraduate's project. The general academic and professional guidance mentors provide is also of great importance. Mentors discuss their research and professional interests in the international affairs field and serve as a research and career resource. We will do our best to pair Scholars with mentors whose expertise or interest is relevant to the research topic. Even when a Scholar's project does not precisely fit the mentor's professional or academic focus, the relationship is still meaningful.
Although the relationship with the Scholar is the primary benefit of graduate student participation, mentors will also receive a one-time award of $200 and gain experience that they can include on their résumés.
Mentors will meet their Scholars at a kickoff reception at the beginning of the fall semester. Each Mentor/Scholar pair will have coffee together (paid for with the Scholar's research stipend) each semester and stay in touch throughout the year as the Scholar's project develops. There will be a November breakfast get-together for all mentors and Scholars and a final research conference in April 2015 at which Scholars will present their research and mentors will serve as moderators. Mentors are also expected to attend the single spring class session during which their mentee's rough draft will be reviewed.
Mentoring is a fun and fulfilling experience that requires a reasonable but real commitment to the goals of the program. Mentors must participate in both the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 semesters and must therefore be graduating in May 2015 or later.
More information on the undergraduate side of the program is available here.
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Mentor Obligations
In addition to remaining in touch with the Scholar throughout the year (meetings; emails; phone calls) and having coffee with the Scholar at least once each semester, mentors should plan to attend the following events:
Mentor Training Session in September
- Kickoff Reception early in the fall semester
- Scholar/Mentor Breakfast Get-Together in November
- The one spring class session when the mentee's rough draft will be reviewed (class meets Thursdays from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm; individual date assignments TBD)
- Final Research Conference in April
Specific dates are TBD but will be communicated as early as possible. Additional activities may be added to the calendar.
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Application Information
If you are interested in applying, please complete the following application steps by April 28.
- Submit an online application form.
- Email your résumé to esiamentors@gmail.com.
