A report card on mentorship in graduate fisheries education: Student and faculty perspectives

We sent survey instruments to 135 faculty and 69 student members of the American Fisheries Society Education Section residing in North America to obtain a preliminary assessment of the mentoring process. Results indicate that the process, though working satisfactorily, could be improved. Expectations of doctoral students appear to be met, but master's degree students indicated several areas where advisors were falling short. In particular, many advisors may not be providing their students with sufficient direct training and/or opportunity to receive training in research methodology. Both master's and doctoral degree students were rated relatively low by faculty advisors in the areas related to membership and involvement in student and professional organizations. Doctoral students were consistently rated higher than master's degree students in all aspects of mentoring interactions. Recognition of areas where advisors and students can improve their mentor-mentoree relationships is an important step toward enhancing graduate education. Opening further the lines of communication between faculty and students is a crucial step toward improving graduate fisheries education.