Don’t be shy! An introduction via a mutual colleague or friend is always a plus, but it is not the only way. Offer a handshake at a conference, or drop a sincere email expressing interest in working together. Global emergency physicians are a small, tightly-knit community always looking to help usher in the new era of leaders.
Great mentors are approached with many eager students wanting to work with them, so how do you increase your chance of a response? Here are some suggestions: 1) be specific, if you ask specific questions in your initial encounter then mentors usually respond, 2) give the background on you, consider sending them your CV, 3) volunteer, identify a project that you can work on so you can start building a relations and lastly 4) be humble, it is easier for mentors to teach than retrain so do not over sell yourself as it can often be off putting.