Lessons Learned From a Career in Clinical Research: Implications for Mentoring and Career Development

Lessons learned in the mentoring and career development of researchers in medical settings are considered. Key challenges include developing a consistent focus of independent research; developing trust and confidence in one's ideas and skills as a researcher; sustaining productivity and confidence in response to peer critique; developing and sustaining support from networks of colleagues, mentors, mentees, and family members; and initiating developing and sustaining interprofessional collaboration in team science. Key influences on career development benchmarks include consistent and competent mentoring, team mentoring, supervised experiences in collaborative research, training in scientific and grant writing, and support to develop networks of colleagues and mentors through opportunities in professional organizations and scientific journals. Future research is needed to understand the efficacy of training and research experiences on the career development trajectories of researchers.