Being a Mentee

Being a Mentee

The transition from PhD or postdoctoral studies into the academic job market is a time of uncertainty that can be a source of anxiety for many. For example, many early career researchers have feelings of stress, isolation, and imposterism.

A faculty mentor can be helpful in this context since they are able to provide their unique perspective and experience, along with psychosocial, networking and instrumental/task-based support (Ballantine and Jolly-Ballantine 2015). For instance, a mentor may help you develop all-important professional and interpersonal skills, including professional communication, how to build meaningful connections with colleagues, awareness of research funding opportunities, and strategies for planning your career and research strategy.

Mentorship vs. Supervision

It is important to distinguish the role of your faculty mentor from that of your supervisor. While your supervisor’s role includes that of a career mentor, they are also responsible for providing advice and guidance on your dissertation research project and ensuring you progress through your program. This is something which your faculty mentor is not in a position to do.

Even the best supervisors are not able to meet all their supervisee’s needs, which is why you are encouraged to seek out multiple mentors to support you in your career aspirations. While your supervisor may also provide integral support and mentorship regarding your career path, there may be certain, sensitive topics that you feel more comfortable discussing with a faculty mentor. Your faculty mentor may also have perspectives and experiences different from those of your supervisor that you can learn and grow from.

Time commitment

The student-faculty cross-disciplinary mentorship pairings are meant to be flexible and easy to manage for everyone involved.

Mentees are expected to: 

• Attend an introductory session for mentees where they will learn more about the program and strategies for getting the best out of your mentor. 
• Meet with your mentor a minimum of twice per semester. These meetings, which should be about an hour long, can take place virtually or in person according to the needs and preferences of you and your mentor. You and your mentor share the responsibility of maintaining contact and scheduling meetings. 
• Come prepared to their mentorship meetings. It may be helpful to create an agenda or notes for the meeting beforehand. 
• Complete two short surveys about your expectations and experience, one at the beginning and another at the end of the program.
• You are encouraged to attend College of Graduate Mentorship events, including the welcome reception (October 2024) and the end-of-year celebration (April 2025) to meet and create connections with other mentees and mentors in the College of Graduate Mentorship. 

Applications to be a mentee in the 2024-2025 cohort will open in July 2024, with mentor-mentee pairings announced in September 2024.