Mentorship in STEM: My experience working with and mentoring STEM students.

Kaur Lab has launched in fall 2022 at the Department of Chemistry, Howard University.

Prof. Kaur is currently mentoring one graduate student (MS) and 7 undergraduate students in the Department of Chemistry at Howard University. Dr. Kaur has been actively involved in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students since her postdoctoral studies at Texas A&M University-College Station and doctoral studies at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.

Mentoring STEM students involve providing guidance, support, and encouragement to help them develop their skills and reach their academic and career goals.

From her personal experience, she has learned the following things:

1. Building a strong relationship: Establishing a strong relationship with the student is important. This includes listening actively, being empathetic, and demonstrating a genuine interest in the student's goals and aspirations.

2. Providing guidance: As a mentor, it's important to provide guidance to the student to help them navigate the challenges of their STEM studies. This could include providing advice on coursework, research projects, internships, and career opportunities.

3. Encouraging self-reflection: Encouraging students to reflect on their experiences, strengths, and weaknesses can help them develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their goals. This can help them identify areas where they need to improve and develop strategies for achieving their goals.

4. Providing networking opportunities: Introducing students to other professionals in their field can be valuable for building their professional networks and opening new opportunities.

5. Celebrating successes: Celebrating the student's successes, both big and small, can help build their confidence and motivation.

Overall, effective mentoring requires a combination of empathy, guidance, and support to help STEM students reach their full potential.