Dr. Benes: Investigating Fire History in the Nebraska Sandhills Using Sediment Cores

Students will learn lab procedures associate with sub-sampling sediment cores. This includes chemical processing, slicing sediments, using a muffle furnace, serving materials and much more. Students will also be required to read and learn about past environmental change in the Nebraska Sandhills.

Curiosity is the most important qualification for this position. Openness to new experiences, and an aptitude for clear communication is important. Lab work can be tedious, so must be able to work on your own.,

My mentoring style is to be a servant leader. I aim to guide and ask questions to help those that I am mentoring for them to discover the solutions on their own. One of my values is to offer an ecosystem of learning where anyone can ask a question as many times as they need. I like repeat questions or, revisiting concepts as needed. Students are curious and meeting their curiosity with open-endedness and encouragement usually leads to continued growth in academic relationships. 

Settling clear goals and expectations is essential to the mentoring experience and I like to make sure that I provide ample time to ask clarifying questions about projects when I work with students. Also, understanding that projects are messy and the “perfect shouldn’t be the enemy of the good”. We all have different learning styles and focusing on the “exact right answer”, or “exact right outcome” might limit some students and result in disengagement.

In the end, I like to treat others as I would like to be treated – and how I have been treated by my mentors. That is with respect, dignity, and with good humor. A fun, jovial atmosphere is what I intend to create to foster any great mentorship.