What is the role of a mentor?

Mentors play a crucial role in the success of the Internships with the Conservation and Land Management Program at the Chicago Botanic Garden. These mentors are typically experienced federal biologists who provide guidance, support, and hands-on training to the interns throughout their six-month internship. Mentors help interns develop important skills such as plant identification, data collection, and GIS mapping, while also sharing their own expertise in natural resource management and ecological restoration. Mentors also provide valuable networking opportunities, introducing interns to other professionals in the field and helping them launch their careers in federal agencies, NGOs, or graduate school