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Can non-Fisheries & Wildlife majors apply?
Yes! All OSU undergraduate students with an interest in fisheries, wildlife, ecology, or related fields (such as Biology, Zoology, Natural Resources, Horticulture, etc.) are encouraged to apply. Mentors will take on the mentee that seems the best fit, regardless of departmental affiliation.
Can Ecampus students apply?
Yes! However, not all mentee positions may be available to you depending on your location and the nature of the prospective mentor's research (e.g., field or lab work based in Corvallis). Still, many activities can be completed remotely, such as data and image analyses. Mentors can also help guide independent research projects in your area or provide professional advice. It is best to review the position descriptions in the mentor list thoroughly before applying to assess the feasibility of participation in the program. If you are still unsure, please contact the Program Coordinators to discuss the matter further. They will have insights as to the feasibility of your participation in the program, and with any specific graduate mentor.
I am not interested in going to graduate school. Is this program for me?
Yes! This program is for students interested in gaining hands-on research experiences or who wish to gain professional advice from someone in their field of interest — tools and information that will be useful to all mentees regardless of career path. While graduate school is a logical next step for anyone interested in research, it is not expected that mentees are planning on pursuing graduate studies.
How long does the program last?
Mentorships last as long as agreed upon by both the mentor and mentee, which allow each mentorship to be tailored to the needs and availability of each student. In most cases, mentorships last one or two terms and end once field and laboratory activities have concluded. However, mentorships can last over a year if mentees conduct an independent project or if research activities are ongoing.
There are no mentors currently available in my field of interest. What should I do?
New mentorship opportunities are added throughout the year, so it would be a good idea to check the mentor list regularly. If your field of interest strongly aligns with that of a mentor that is currently unavailable, it might be worth sending that mentor an email expressing interest in their research and working with them. Graduate students often have ideas for side projects that they have no time to pursue themselves but that may be perfect for an undergraduate to work on. They also may not need a mentee now, but may need one in a term or two, or may know someone else in their lab/field that may need a mentee, intern, or research assistant.