by Marie desJardins. "This paper attempts to raise some issues that are important for graduate students to be successful and to get as much out of the process as possible, and for advisors who wish to help their students be successful. The intent is not to provide prescriptive advice -- no formulas for finishing a thesis or twelve-step programs for becoming a better advisor are given -- but to raise awareness on both sides of the advisor-student relationship as to what the expectations are and should be for this relationship, what a graduate student should expect to accomplish, common problems, and where to go if the advisor is not forthcoming."

The Rackham Graduate School at the University of Michigan created this resource in response to numerous discussions with graduate students and faculty in various disciplines at the University of Michigan over a period of two years. It provides advice on establishing mentoring relationships based on mutual understanding and realistic expectations. It also features summaries of the challenges that face historically underrepresented and other student groups, as well as observations and suggestions for the ways faculty and students can address those challenges.

Dave Jensen, ScienceCareers. "I know that selecting a new boss is the farthest thing from the minds of many readers of the Next Wave. You may still be in a graduate program, concerned about your ability to find a job at all, let alone choosing one with a boss whom you might do well with. But I believe that thinking about this now is not only smart, it is something that should be considered at any time a career transition is pending. Many of the ideas that follow would apply equally well to selecting a graduate advisor or postdoctoral position as they would for my stated purpose -- to assist in determining whether your possible new boss in an industrial position would be compatible with your personal work style and needs."

"I discuss below, some of the most important factors for evaluating potential advisors."

Grad school success hinges on finding your perfect match

Questions to ask

by Robert J. Dooling. "What should a new trainee look for in identifying a postdoc mentor?"

Advice from Dianne Prost O'Leary, University of Maryland.