June 09 Issue - Employee Monthly Magazine

Pay it forward

Mentors help students and coworkers succeed

“Our student internships are designed to introduce students to world-class scientific research projects, utilizing scientists and nonscientists as mentors. Our best-in-class programs give students a well-rounded experience that contributes to their lifelong learning, while helping to develop the scientific talent society will need to confront the significant technical challenges ahead.”
—David Foster, Education and Postdoc Office program manager

“When you become a supervisor, you may become a mentor without realizing that’s what you’ve chosen. I enjoy seeing people succeed, and I feel good about helping that process along, even in small ways.”
—Carol Burns, Science, Technology and Engineering

“When you are mentoring you are not only sharing what you have learned, but you are constantly learning yourself through observation and interaction. Those being mentored bring a fresh set of eyes.”
—Doug Coombs, Scientific Software Engineering

“Mentoring is one of the fundamental leadership responsibilities. Working to improve the skill set of high potential employees here at LANL is a pleasure and privilege. It is an important tool to become a learning organization.”
—John Tseng, Stockpile Manufacturing and Support

“Although it’s different each time, becoming a mentor always needs to be natural to both sides. For me, being able to help young scientists is the source of great personal satisfaction — a return to perhaps the brightest side of my previous academic career.”
—Piotr Zelenay, Sensors and Electrochemical Devices

“The most rewarding aspect is seeing those people that I have mentored become productive colleagues.”
—Timothy Foley, Explosive Applications and Special Projects

“Having had fantastic mentors who helped me throughout my professional career reinforces for me the importance of giving back to others who might benefit from my skills. Also, mentors help ensure the success of students who will someday be the future workforce of the Laboratory.”
—Steve Sandoval, Communications Office, 2008 LANL Mentor of the Year

“Being a mentor was not a work assignment, but time well spent committed to helping, supporting, enabling, and inspiring a fellow coworker to achieve success. It is a role I learned so much from and will forever cherish.”
—Kathy Leckbee, Deployed Training Services

“I became a mentor when my brother, who’s eight years younger than me, was born. To me, mentoring means satisfaction in watching bright motivated students and young researchers turn into fully independent scientists.”
—Marcelo Jaime, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Other Headlines

• Rich past, bright future
  
• Student helps improve life-saving air monitoring system
• Students challenged to think about environmental stewardship
• Expediting liquid carry-on screening for air travel
• Transforming diabetes monitoring
• My View: Students, diversity, and being unique (C.J. Bacino)
• Kudos
• Notebook
• Our Goals: Anatomy of an emergency kit
• Spotlight: Work experience options for high school students

Student Focus

• Welcome, students
• Plesko lauded for Outstanding Paper
• Rosev paper wins social science award
• Student programs abound at Lab
• The LANL Institutes: Partnering with higher education for the Lab's future
• Summer lecture series under way
• Pay it forward
• Useful information / Student calendar of events, summer 2009
• Student Symposium highlights research
• Postdoc passionate about renewable energy
• Students' Association promotes, advocates for students
• MBA Program helps move Lab technology to market