EXPLORING STUDENT PERSPECTIVES ON RESEARCH READINESS AND MENTORSHIP: A CASE STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CRAIOVA.

This study explores the perspectives of students at the University of Craiova regarding their readiness to choose a specific research direction and the role of mentorship in their academic journey. Findings reveal that 66.1% of respondents feel unprepared to select a research trajectory, highlighting the need for additional guidance and resources. Despite this, 73.1% of students expressed confidence in defining their research direction without further assistance, indicating that current support mechanisms may be effective for a majority. However, 78.5% of students reported lacking access to mentors or academic advisors, while 80.3% expressed a strong desire for mentoring in the near future, underlining its perceived value in navigating academic and professional development. Students also identified key areas of support needed, including guidance in research direction (73.9%), project management skills (47.2%), navigating funding processes (42.4%), and publishing strategies (46.4%). These findings underscore the importance of strengthening mentoring programs and academic support initiatives to address diverse student needs, ultimately enhancing research preparedness and career outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]