Supervisors Should be Mentors

In the context of graduate studies, a supervisor’s role is to successfully guide a student through the requirements of their academic program.

Mentorship also plays an important role in the student-supervisor relationship. In most cases, this relationship tends to be focused on broader scholarly and career development. However, it can also lead to the formation of a more personal relationship.

The difference between supervision and mentorship is not always clearly defined and good supervisors often adopt both roles, although the focus may differ depending on the stage the student is in their program. Generally speaking:
·         Supervision tends to be task oriented.
·         Mentorship tends to be focused on broader scholarly and career development.

Effectively combining the role of mentor and supervisor can have a positive impact on the overall graduate student experience.