Click here for the powerpoint used in the lunch talk.
Identifying a Mentor
- Start early! I did malaria research in Burma and first contacted my mentor in December and first met with them in March. (Christian Larsen).
- I didn't have a mentor - I did it all on my own. (Mike Robbins)
- It was helpful to talk to Dr. Warnick (who handled research for our year) and also to go on a UMB-sponsored trip, so I didn't have a specific mentor. Keep inquiring and expressing interest. (Kristin Lohr).
- I also did not have a mentor, but I found OSR to be a good resource. I went to Chile. (Alexi Pappas)
- I continued prior clinical research that I had been working on with a colleague from Barcelona, Spain. Remember that UMB is full of researchers that work with people around the globe, so don't feel restrained to OSR. (Michael Atlas)
Identifying a Project
- Figure out where you want to go, and then narrow down projects or opportunities from there. (Mike Atlas).
- Take advantage of the Global Education Center here at UM, newly opened this year! (Kristin Lohr)
- Don't be too picky about the project you do. We both did lots of random projects but still had a great experience (Mike Atlas, Alexi Pappas)
- rewriting training courses and manuscripts
- scrubbing in to the OR
- helping in research labs
- Be sure you know your own interests, since a mentor will likely ask you, "What do YOU want to do?" (Sarah Schaeffer)
Funding
Many projects are self-driven, requires lots of persistence in finding a mentor, identifying a project, and finding funding. More success is probably found in established programs, but you can do your own if you work hard enough at it. Some possible funding sources include:
- UM - look for fully funding programs (ex. SRTP)
- Your future mentor
- You - yes, you may be forced to decide if you want to foot some or all the bill yourself - of course, as a last resort! #YOLO.
Overall Lessons:
- Don't give up! (Christian)
- It is nice if you either know what you want to do, OR where you want to go. Don’t necessarily need to know both – but will help focus the project. (Alexi)
- Don’t stress about funding. Just decide where you stand on paying the bill yourself early-on. (Mike Atlas)
- Do something that inspires you (Mike Robbins)
- If you want to do international work, actually doing it in the summer is the best motivator to come back to 2nd year and work hard. (Kristin)
- Remember that you will have only completed 1 year of medical school, so you will not have as many skills as if you went in a 4th year elective. But the experience is still very valuable.
- A note about language barriers: Being somewhere where you do not understand the language can be mentally taxing for both you and other people around you. It can be difficult and exhausting. If you do not speak many languages, try to choose a country where more people speak English. It shouldn’t inhibit you from going anywhere, but definitely consider it. Also consider cultural barriers, in addition to language barriers.
Resources:
- Center for Vaccine Development - great place to find a mentor
- Institute of Human Virology - esp if you are interested in HIV work
- Global Health Interprofessional Council
- Student Center for Global Education & Bonnie Bissonette
