Have you ever been stuck on a research project? Or have you been in need of someone to review your work? At Union there are many resources on campus to help you out, but one in particular that can typically be overlooked is the Research Mentor Program offered at our very own Schaffer Library.
This program allows you to schedule time with one of the student research mentors that are trained to guide you through those tough projects and papers. They can assist you with any aspect of your research, from helping to develop a strong research question to making sure you cite your sources correctly.
Having someone else there to look over your ideas can be a very helpful source. “Discussing your ideas with a mentor creates the opportunity for peer-to-peer advice grounded in academic experience,” said Lindsay Bush, one of the librarians who runs the program, “Our students can offer a second opinion, and model how they would search for articles, plus they are aware of the many library resources that are available, and can help students navigate to the right database for their topic.”
Not only are there a ton of student mentors trained to assist anyone who signs up, but also you can choose a student who is focused on the specific subject you are studying. Jenna Pitera, the other librarian in charge of the program, explained this by saying, “Our students work on focusing their disciplinary knowledge, either by working with specific courses or working on research projects in their areas of study.” Having a mentor that is also working on the same or a similar course gives you someone who knows directly what you are dealing with. This helps the students who came in with research questions as well as the ones who are mentoring, as they both grow from the experience.
This is an opportunity available to any Union College student who is struggling or needs someone to review their research, so if that applies to you, reach out! To book an appointment with a mentor, simply go on to the Union College website and under the Schaffer Library section click on “Research Mentor Program”. In just a couple clicks of a button you will be introduced to seven different student mentors who can help you with your research!
With finals right around the corner, make sure to take full advantage of this free resource located on campus and schedule an appointment.
