MARE 103Finding (and Landing)

an Advisor

MARE 103Finding an Advisor

MARE 103Landing an Advisor

I Have an idea – Now What?How to Find the Correct Advisor

Contacting Potential Advisors

The Next Steps

Finding the Correct Advisor

Should fit your subject matter

Ideally close to work siteWilling/able to take on a MOP student

Finding the Correct Advisor

Where should you look:UHH DirectoryAsk – Faculty, MOP

coordinators, other studentsPublications

Finding the Correct Advisor

Who is your Ideal Advisor?Combination of: - Expertise - Interest - Location

You want to make a good first impression

First contact should NOT be... “hey, Marine Debris looks cool…your lab looks cool – I would love to work with you”

Contacting Potential Advisors

A better approach…

First contact should be... “My name is ___. I’m  a freshman in __. I’m contacting you regarding my Marine Option Program project as a potential advisor”

Contacting Potential Advisors

The approach…“Letter” should have 3 sections - Introduce yourself (who you

are) - Show your understanding of

who THEY are - Integrate the 2 together – show

how you fit

Contacting Potential Advisors

Letter should allow Advisor to: - see how you will fit into their

program/lab - understand their role/responsibility - want to leave as little to chance as possible

Contacting Potential Advisors

1. Develop a timeline - goal is final proposal by end of semester - work backwards

The Next Steps

2. Determine “the plan” - decide how often to meet - milestones, deadlines - MOP provides overall framework; you and Advisor fill in that framework

The Next Steps

3. Maintain contact - stick to your meeting plan - meet goals, make deadlines - realize contacting with no progress is better than not contacting at all

The Next Steps

Next Next Steps - Literature Search - Develop Objectives - Design Project/Study - Write Proposal Outline - Write Draft Proposal - Edit into Final Proposal

The Next Steps