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“A
mentor is somebody willing to fight for you the battles nobody else is willing
to fight.” – Dr. Erika T. Camacho (who was mentored by THE Jaime Escalante)
It
could be said a good mentor is worth his or her weight in gold. A good
mentor counsels, encourages, supports, guides, and listens, among many other
things. Mentors can come in many shapes or forms. They can be family,
friends, colleagues, teachers, professors, neighbors and even complete strangers.
Mentorship
can be and should be a mutually beneficial relationship for the mentor and the
mentee. It is important for the personal and professional development of
both parties. At some point of our lives, each and every one of us has
benefited from having a mentor (and hopefully from being one). However, I can’t
think of a career in which mentorship is a key factor of success more than in
science.
When
it comes to becoming a scientist, mentorship is invaluable. Being a
research scientist is a hands-on learning experience. There is no book or
step-by-step guide on how to become a successful scientist. One learns
how to be a scientist from a mentor (or rather mentors). How to plan, do
and interpret experiments; write papers or grant proposals; choose your next
career steps; navigate the academic and professional landscape. A good
mentor can be a role model, a source of experience and insights, and someone to
identify with.
Personally,
the support and advice from my mentors has helped me achieve my goals; it has
kept me focused and balanced. The best advice I ever got is to have
multiple mentors, figure out what they do best and learn how they do it.
I have been fortunate to have many excellent mentors (family, friends, professors,
colleagues), and they are a constant source of inspiration.
Recently,
I went to the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native
Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Conference in Seattle,
Washington. This was my first SACNAS conference and it was GREAT. The
scientific quality of the talks and the poster presentations was fantastic
(special shout-out to all of the undergrads). There were scientists from
all fields and academic levels. What I was most impressed with was the
great sense of community and culture, and the emphasis placed on the importance
of mentorship and networking.
Now,
I am currently writing my doctoral dissertation, which can be tedious at times,
so the SACNAS Conference represented a welcomed break. But, being at
SACNAS was more than that. It was inspiring, re-energizing and
enlightened. As a scientist, nothing compares to the thrill of discovery
and of contributing to the advancement of knowledge. However, one of the
greatest opportunities that being a scientist has provided me is the
opportunity to be a mentor. It is simple. Someone did it for me
once (actually multiple someones and more than once), so now it’s my turn to pay
it forward.
 |
| Mentorship in action! |
Coming
in, I knew that mentoring is at the core of SACNAS activities. However, I
was in for a treat. I was able to see old friends and colleagues that I
rarely get to see. I was also able to represent my country (Puerto Rico),
my alma mater (¡Vaqueros,
ahí!), my current school (Go Crimson!) and Ciencia Puerto Rico
(the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of). At SACNAS there were a LOT
of mentors. It didn’t matter if they were a first-generation college student, a
SACNAS Board Member, a future astronaut or a potential Nobel Prize winner. They
were all equally passionate about science, education and mentorship. They
were willing to talk to you, and more importantly, they were willing to listen
to you and share their insights.
Someone
I was really inspired by is Octavio Pierre Romero, who won the 2012 Distinguished Community College Mentor Award.
Half Mexican and half Cherokee, when Octavio got on stage, he thanked his
ancestors and those who had carved the path he was walking before him. He
was emotional (and so was I. I’ll admit it I got teary-eyed, but then again I
am a bit of a crier). Above all he was THANKFUL. Not only for the recognition,
but also for the people that had helped him get where he is right
now.
Mr.
Romero’s speech embodied the spirit of the conference. Mentors are
trailblazers. They know how it is and what it takes to develop into and
perform successfully as a scientist. They have faced and conquered the
challenges. By way of their success and experience, they have great insight
into ideas and opportunities; they can be connectors and influencers.
One
of the biggest hurdles faced by underrepresented minorities in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is the lack of role models
and/or mentors they can identify with.
This
lack of mentors and role models with a shared background reinforces the biases
and stereotypes against minorities in these fields. Mentorship is key to
preventing the high attrition levels of minorities in the scientific training
pipeline. Mentors can lead the way to help make STEM fields more diverse and representative.
After all, the scientific enterprise is enriched by the variety of thoughts,
experiences and ideas contributed by diversity.
As
I am sitting on my desk, taking a little break from thesis writing (yes, I take
them somewhat often, for the sake of sanity) to write this, I set my eyes on a
thank you note I received from one of my mentees after the SACNAS
Conference. “You have contributed to my development as a scientist and a
person. You are living proof that you don’t have to see or have someone
close (she is in Puerto Rico, I am in Boston) to be able to call them a
mentor.” Now THAT is worth gold.
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