UROP Project
conservation, non-profit, marketing, social media
Research Mentor: Rebecca Means, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Conservation Pathways, N/A
Contact Email: RebeccaPharrM@gmail.com
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Conservation Pathways, N/A
Contact Email: RebeccaPharrM@gmail.com
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Marketing, Mass Communication, Media Communication Studies, Public Relations, or related majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday, Sept 3rd 11:00-11:30am (https://us05web.zoom.us/j/85882923436?pwd=S5gEv7plxrb0E6eUkVxblF72MbTDxn.1)
Thursday, Sept 5th 5:00 - 5:30pm (https://us05web.zoom.us/j/82456658078?pwd=PKSmbpKVwvA0QQunFznm1BBfJkfLB9.1)
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Marketing, Mass Communication, Media Communication Studies, Public Relations, or related majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday, Sept 3rd 11:00-11:30am (https://us05web.zoom.us/j/85882923436?pwd=S5gEv7plxrb0E6eUkVxblF72MbTDxn.1)
Thursday, Sept 5th 5:00 - 5:30pm (https://us05web.zoom.us/j/82456658078?pwd=PKSmbpKVwvA0QQunFznm1BBfJkfLB9.1)
Project Description
Conservation Pathways is a new non-profit organization based here in Tallahassee. The organization provides professional development, scientific research, mentorship, and networking experiences to students at FSU, FAMU, and TSC interested in pursuing a career in conservation and natural resource management. As a new non-profit, Pathways needs to increase its presence in the community to:1) increase awareness of opportunities available to possible interns at all three institutions
2) increase awareness for natural resource professionals that may be interested in supporting the organization through mentoring or providing experiential learning opportunities
3) let the community know of the need and the work we are doing in order to increase financial (donations) and in-kind support.
Student will design a methodology and tools for marketing the non-profit to the above target audiences and begin producing products such as (but not limited to), social media content, flyers, website content/design, public service announcements, newspaper articles, and press releases.
Research Tasks: Literature review, social listening assessment, possibly conducting interviews
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended skills:
Canva or related graphic design program
Experience with various social media platforms
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy centers on fostering an environment of open communication and creative exploration. I believe that every individual brings unique strengths to the table, and my role as a mentor is to help identify, cultivate, and build upon these strengths. Open communication is the key to this relationship. By establishing a partnership where both mentor and mentee feel valued as individuals, we can collaboratively set goals, address challenges, and celebrate successes.I encourage exploring challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities for growth and learning. By working together to find creative solutions, we can turn these challenges into stepping stones for personal and professional development. Feedback plays a crucial role in this process, and I very much value frequent discussions about what is working and what is not working. Two-way exchange of feedback helps to foster continuous improvement and deeper understanding.
Exposure to diverse experiences is also a key element of my mentoring approach. By providing opportunities to explore different topics and methodologies, engage with different professionals, and to participate in a wide range of field experiences, I aim to broaden the mentee’s horizons and help them develop a well-rounded skill set. Whether it’s through hands-on projects, networking, or other forms of experiential learning, I believe that real-world experiences are invaluable in preparing individuals for future challenges.
Ultimately, my goal as a mentor is to inspire and guide others on their journey to uncovering their full potential, providing them with the tools, confidence, and perspective to succeed.