Why Mentoring Matters in Academia
I was devastated when I learned about the passing of my longtime research collaborator, Dr. William "Bill" Connick, Jr. on April 22, 2018. Bill was an amazing inorganic chemist, friend and mentor. More importantly, he was truly my "brother in inorganic chemistry." Academia can be a really difficult place to navigate for tenure-track faculty, and I certainly had my share of challenges. Bill was my staunch supporter and cheerleader when I needed it most. Although it is very important to have mentors and advocates at your own academic institution, I highly recommend that tenure-track faculty find mentors and advocates outside of their home institutions as well. External mentors can provide you with additional guidance and offer a different perspective on various matters. Furthermore, external mentors can serve as a sounding board for new research ideas and managing students. Bill served that important role for me. I first met Bill several years ago while attendin...