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If selected for a BUILD Program, you will be required to work with a BUILD Research Mentor at the start of the summer program (June) and for the duration of your time in the BUILD Program.

Are you a student that wants to reach out to a mentor, but you aren’t sure what to say? Download this Contact Faculty Template to help you get started.

Additional Tips:

• Use the Undergraduate Research Mentor Directory (linked above) to start your search!
• You can also use the ºÚÁÏÍø Department Webpages to find additional faculty. *Note: they will need to become a BUILD Mentor by the start of the summer program.
• Find someone who’s research interests you. Read their profile, external lab website, look up some of their research articles. They do not need to be in the same department/major as you.
• Contact them early to see if they are still accepting students, they have space in their lab/research project, and to request a time to meet.
  • Do not be afraid to send a reminder email (but give them enough time to respond). If it has been over two weeks, try stopping by during their office hours.
  • You can contact multiple faculty members. Just make sure you let them know of your final decision.
• In your meeting, be prepared to share about yourself and why you are interested in working with them.
  • Ask about the research project, work environment, expectations (e.g., schedule, in person meetings), who will be directly supervising me, etc. to ensure this is a good match (keep in mind you’ll be working with them for one to two years and they’ll be the ones writing your recommendation letters for grad school).
  • Be prepared to share about yourself too! Not only can you share your motivation for joining BUILD, enthusiasm for research, and your career and academic goals, but also about your personal self. They may ask you for your CV or resume to see what experience you already have.
• If you feel they are a good match, then ask them to be your BUILD Research Mentor!
  • If you are in the application phase still, they can submit a letter of commitment or be your recommender.
  • If you have already been given an offer to join the program, they will be asked to sign off on your Student MOU, complete a Mentee Development Plan with you, and will receive their Mentor MOU to sign.

If you are a current BUILD Research Mentor and want to update your profile on the Undergraduate Research Mentor Directory, you will find instructions on how to make changes on the Undergraduate Research Mentor Directory site.

If you are a ºÚÁÏÍø Faculty member and want to become a BUILD Research Mentor, please see our Become a Mentor page.

If you have questions, contact BUILD.mentors@csulb.edu.