Exploring the Mentorship Needs of Graduate Students in Human Factors and Ergonomics

Abstract

Effective mentorship plays a critical role in helping students navigate the demands of graduate school by providing guidance, emotional support, and career development opportunities. Despite its importance, limited research has examined the specific mentorship needs of graduate students in Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE). This study addresses that gap by exploring the mentorship needs and challenges of HFE graduate students. Semi-structured interviews with 20 graduate students from 12 U.S. universities revealed five challenges: academic, personal well-being, financial, interpersonal, and career development. Participants expressed mentorship needs related to career guidance, networking opportunities, emotional support, academic advising, and skill development. The findings highlight the role of structured mentorship programs in supporting students’ graduate journey. Based on the results, this study recommends actionable strategies such as mentor-matching platforms, peer mentoring, alumni networks, career pathway panels, skill-building modules, and culturally responsive mentorship. This study provides key insights for developing inclusive mentorship programs tailored to the diverse needs of HFE graduate students.

Keywords

Graduate Student Mentorship Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE)Mentorship Needs Academic and Career Challenges Inclusive Mentorship Programs Mentorship in Graduate Education Peer Mentoring in HFE Culturally Responsive Mentorship Structured Mentorship Models Graduate Student Well-Being

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