Scientific excellence means developing top tier researchers, teachers, students, creative minds, and a community of collaborators who seek to expand the field of fisheries, wildlife, and conservation sciences in a meaningful and tangible way. The Fisheries and Wildlife Undergraduate Mentorship Program (FWUMP) exists to ensure that all students, both graduate and undergraduate, have a gateway to meet this standard of excellence within the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences (FWCS) at Oregon State University (OSU). The Program uses a mentor-mentee pairing process, which connects undergraduate students seeking research experiences and professional training with graduate students and Postdocs.
The program is open to all OSU students with interests in fisheries, wildlife, ecology, conservation, natural resources, and related fields, including non-FWCS majors, Postbac, and Ecampus students. To date, the program has successfully paired over 100 undergraduates with 35 graduate students and Postdocs in mentorships spanning one to six terms. We accept applications year-round until available opportunities are filled. The majority of new research opportunities become available in early fall term for fall/winter mentorships and late winter term for spring/summer mentorships.
Undergraduate Students
Through this program, you can gain hands-on research experience, develop professional tools and skills to prepare for a career in fisheries and wildlife (or related fields), and make personal and professional connections with someone who can help you navigate your field of interest.
Graduate Students
Through this program, you can gain hands-on experience teaching, leading, and managing adult learners and in disseminating practical scientific skills. You can also gain valuable scientific support for your research and practical mentoring experience that will be valuable throughout your career.
Interested in Joining the Program?
Prospective Mentees
-
Step 1: Identify prospective mentors with similar scientific interests.
-
Step 2: Submit an online application; mentee applications are forwarded to prospective mentors.
-
Step 3: Prospective mentors set up one-on-one meetings with prospective mentees.
- Step 4: Pairings finalized jointly by the prospective mentor and mentee; mentor guides all further research and professional development activities.
Prospective Mentors
Contact the Program Coordinators at fwcs.mentoring@oregonstate.edu with the following information:
- Indicate your primary location (Corvallis, Hatfield, online, etc.) and your ability work with online students
- Short bio outlining your research interests (1–2 sentences).
- Position description outlining your research or professional guidance opportunity (2–3 sentences)—clearly state expected responsibilities of the student, number of positions available, weekly work hour expectations, expected start date, whether it is paid or volunteer, and anything else that seems pertinent.
- List of up to five research keywords/specialties/interests.
- A picture of yourself.
Questions about the program?
Check out our FAQs page, or contact the Mentorship Team: fwcs.mentoring@oregonstate.edu.
