Exemplary Rehabilitation Educators Experiences of Mentoring and Beginning Their Careers

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the career experiences and mentoring advice of nationally recognized rehabilitation educators who have excelled and proffer strategies for success to newcomers to the field.Method: The authors surveyed via Qualtrics 28 rehabilitation educators regarding their career experiences with open and closed structured questions and triangulated for common themes.Results: Two thirds of respondents expressed having a mentor and following his or her advice which included offering opportunities to research and publish, opening doors and assisting in networking, establishing a research agenda, time management, serving as a positive role model, and providing social and emotional support.Conclusions: Respondents emphasized establishing a research agenda, networking, managing time well, and having a mentor who opened doors as being necessary components to success. Implications for doctoral students and new faculty are discussed.