Contacting Potential Mentors

Finding a mentor for your practicum project can be overwhelming, but don't worry, you are not alone! Every student has struggled with finding a suitable mentor. Unfortunately, it's a process that takes a great deal of time, energy, and research to not only find a mentor who fits your needs, but also one whose needs you can fulfill. Thankfully the ABI 187 course taught by Dr. Kimsey is meant to help prepare you for your practicum proposal and set up the foundation for your project.

Everything on this page will be covered in ABI 187, but in case you would like a head start on finding mentors, here is a helpful start.

The first step in contacting potential mentors for your practicum project is to get familiar with faculty in your department of interest. This does not have to be strictly ABI professors, it can be anyone from any department that has a relationship to animals. Such other departments can be Wildlife, Conservation, and Fish Biology (WFCB), Ecology (EVE), Entomology (ENT), etc. Your mentor doesn't even have to be a UCD faculty member, but you will still need to have someone from UC Davis to supervise.

Once you have found a professor(s) that interest you, it is suggested that you familiarize yourself with their research, areas of specialization, and publications. In doing so, you can not only get a better idea of what they do, but also when you contact them you can demonstrate that you have put thought and effort into your reason for contacting them.

Be sure to pick labs, research projects, and professors who strictly interest you. It is suggested that you avoid applying or contacting areas that do not fit your interests or requirements for the ABI practicum. This is your project, and it should be something you are passionate about, in addition to that you do not want to waste the time of a professor who needs an invested student to help with research.

When contacting your potential mentor, construct a professional email expressing you interest in their work. You will want to communicate fascination with a particular project or area of study with this person, and ask if they perhaps need help or volunteers with research. Additionally, if you already are a part of a lab or are participating in volunteer work that interests you, contacting the lead professor to be your potential mentor is a good option.

Even if the professor does not need help or is not looking for more students to take on, contacting potential mentors is still worthwhile. This can be an avenue that leads to the suggestion of other professors, since most faculty members will be familiar with the research project of fellow colleagues.

Remember, ABI 187 will cover the full spectrum of helping you find and contact a mentor, construct your proposal, and list out your restricted electives. The How do I Find Research tab also covers information on finding your area of interest, so be sure to browse that page as well!