2013 Essays

Unprepared for Class

Drew, Joshua Adam

I have been thinking a lot about mentoring lately, I’ve started advising two undergraduate students who are starting their senior honor thesis projects. While I am really excited about the work that these students are undertaking, I’ve been feeling a bit unprepared for class. I have had some great mentors in the past. My Ph.D. adviser was tough but encouraging, I have recently published with an additional member of my committee, and most recently my postdoc mentor went far beyond the call of duty to provide me with an intellectually stimulating and supportive environment. These men provided me with an opportunity to find my voice, and when that voice was shouting too loudly, or saying the wrong things, they constructively brought me back to the proper conversation.