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Mentorship and Your Path to Involvement with SRAI

When faced with new journeys, it’s always gratifying to receive support from someone who facilitates the process of adapting to a new stage. That is what SRAI is all about, a cordial community that gives us the necessary opportunities for networking, knowledge, and finding leaders who show us the way forward. In this supportive environment, SRAI not only acts as a guiding force but also as a platform for growth and self-improvement. We had the opportunity to present our insights on mentorship and public speaking at the 2023 SRAI Annual Meeting, marking a significant learning experience for us as mentees in discovering our roles within SRAI. Our mentors played a crucial role in guiding us through the complexities of the research administration field.

The session Leveraging Mentorship for Public Speaking focused on overcoming the barriers that keep us in our comfort zone. Divided between mentors and mentees, as a team, we evaluated our strengths and weaknesses while perfecting our self-reliance. But most importantly, this provided the power of mentoring in personal and professional development.

Mentorship and public speaking has been instrumental in shaping our journey within SRAI, and the following aspects highlight the pivotal role of mentorship in this context:

• Knowledge Transfer: Our mentors' knowledge, experiences and guidance has been invaluable in helping us to understand the nuances of the field and the specific objectives of SRAI.
• Skill Development: Our mentors have provided consistent guidance on developing the essential skills and competencies necessary for success within SRAI.
• Networking: Our mentors have been instrumental in helping us establish connections, introducing us to key individuals, and offering advice on navigating professional relationships.

Throughout this mentorship training, we benefited from our mentors' experience within SRAI, and they played a crucial role in both career and personal development. They have provided valuable career guidance, helping us identify our strengths and interests to align with appropriate roles, while also offering essential emotional support and advice in overcoming challenges in the dynamic field of research administration. We are immensely grateful for the guidance and support provided by our mentors, which has significantly contributed to our growth within the research administration community.

Get Involved in SRAI 
It is important to remember that you are not alone, and there are many people within the SRAI community that are willing to help you get started. Whether you are interested in writing an article or speaking at a conference, reach out to someone and they can help you get started. Below are a few things that can help you take the first steps.

• Writing for the Catalyst: Click here to learn how to write for the Catalyst and submit an article.
• Submit a Speaking Proposal: Click here to submit a speaking proposal 2024 Annual Meeting - Due February 21.

Authored by

Amarilys Santiago, Administrative Assistant
Ponce Research Institute

Ailing Zhang
Morgan State University

Anita Mills
University of Tennessee Space Institute