Like most of us, our graduate students face uncertainty and many are far away from home while living in isolation. Here are some ideas how advisors can support the graduate students they work with, from Roel Snieder, W.M. Keck Distinguished Professor of Professional Development Education.
- Have regular Zoom meetings with each student, perhaps more frequently than your regular work meetings.
- Check in with your students at a personal level. Ask them about their personal situation, their concerns and their family.
- Have a conversation about how their progress may be affected by the current isolation and how delays and setbacks can be minimized.
- Have a regular “happy hour” with your team through Zoom in which you leave ample space for topics other than work or COVID-19.
Professors: What’s working for you? Grad students: What would you like to see? Send your ideas for supporting graduate students to rsnieder@mines.edu.