Welcome to our Online Mentoring program-2020!

We are thrilled to announce the 4th (2nd online) offering of GPS-STEM mentoring program! The program provides professional mentoring to PhD students/postdoctoral scientists and opportunities to connect/reconnect with alumni.

In this pandemic climate, more than ever, our trainees need mentoring to navigate the new normal. There are many rumors, myths, resulting in uncertainties and insecurities during this climate. A good mentor can help clarify their doubts, understand the industry/academic sector and serve as a guide in ensuring professional success. Therefore, we decided to offer this program, sooner than later.

Program Overview: In today’s workforce STEM PhDs are employed within a variety of fields including: Science Policy, Medical Device companies, Science Communications, Data Science, Consulting, Intellectual property law, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences – to name a few! It’s a transformative time for scientific training and UC Irvine embraces diverse career paths by inviting PhD and Postdoctoral alumni & other professionals to participate in the mentoring program, for inspiring the next generation of scientific professionals.

We aim to recruit industry professionals, higher education leaders, faculty (research & teaching) (alumni or non-alumni) holding diverse positions who are willing to give their time, knowledge and expertise to mentor current trainees. We believe our program will increase career awareness as well as create a community where not only current trainees, but also alumni can expand their networks.

Goals: To address the gap between excellent research training and lack of exposure to diverse job sectors for a successful career transition, our mentorship program pairs current trainees with industry professionals & academic leaders.

1. Increase awareness of career paths emanating out of PhD/Postdoc training.
2. Build a supportive community where mentors and mentees can openly discuss career advancement and preparedness.
3. Learn about mentor’s career and many ways mentee can transition smoothly.
4. Encourage and expand e-networking between mentees & mentors.

Program Structure & Duration – Online!

2020OnlineMentoringProgramRoster

The program will include self-paced 4 structured sessions (30 mins each) after which, mentor-mentee dyads can let the professional relationship develop organically and stay in touch. The program duration ranges from 2 – 6 weeks (depending on the availability of mentors). After matching Mentors & Mentees, the program will be launched.

Program Launch (60 mins): eNetworking event to help participants identify mentors & mentees

• Prospective mentors & mentees meet in Zoom breakout rooms (15 mins x 3-4 rounds) to introduce themselves (ice-breaking)
• At the end of the event, Mentors & mentees pick who they would like to work with & connect via email
• Mentee writes an email to mentor for availability (1-on-1 sessions) & setup calls (phone or Zoom) on their own

Mentoring Session 1 (30 mins ): Introductions & Career exploration

• Mentor – Mentee introductions
• Mentor shares their career journey, current job and company info
• Mentee shares their strengths, skills, interests and career(s) of choice (If known)

Mentoring Session 2 (30 mins): Informational Interview* – Job specific questions

• In-depth details of the mentor’s job sector including responsibilities, tasks, jargon used
• Skills needed at the job
• Transferrable skills mentees can use to transition into jobs
• Myth-busting and addressing insecurities – Effects on COVID19 crisis on industry/academic functioning and hiring process. *

*Best practices in informational interviews

Mentoring Session 3* (30 mins): Transition mechanisms 

• Mentors suggest strategies on how to transition to career of choice – steps involved
• LinkedIn profile feedback by mentor on how to tailor it to specific jobs. Effective use of LinkedIn platform & steps to build connections (primary, secondary, tertiary…)
• Networking is your Net worth! Tips on networking/e-networking – how to find connections, resources plus how to organize informational interviews with relevant people in company (HR, Hiring Manager, professionals)
• Optional – Home work for session 4 – Mentee will pick a job posting of their liking and come to next session with a resume tailored for that job plus networking strategies to make the contact e.g Online via LinkedIn, email or in-person at networking events

*If the mentee is not on job search right now, the session 3 will only focus on learning about LinkedIn, importance of networking/avenues of networking no homework.

Mentoring Session 4 (30 mins): Application process and job application simulation

• Discuss application process for jobs – online versus reference/connections
• Steps and players involved during the application process – Recruiter, Human Resources, Hiring Manager & other
• How to effectively use your network – connections, referrals
• Optional: Before the meeting, the mentee will share their tailored resume (Session 3 homework) for a mock application process 
• Optional: Feedback on Resume/CV and tips on how to tailor it to a specific job
• Optional: Tips on a perfect cover letter or feedback based on a specific job

*If a mentee is not currently looking for jobs, this session will mostly be centered around learning about the application process.
Further sessions (Optional): After the 4 sessions, the program will end. However, depending on the mentoring requirements of mentee and time availability of mentor, the interactions can be pursued outside of the program.

Networking e-social : At the end, mentees will meet for debriefing/catching up sessions to discuss the value of the program plus share their special mentoring experiences with their peers. This would serve as a space for each mentee to learn about others’ mentoring experiences. Additionally, based on every mentor’s availability (keeping in mind their time), we will try to organize a mentor-mentee e-networking session

To participate in the mentoring program, please sign-up here. We will be in touch with announcements for the next steps

Prospective Mentors Register here 

Prospective Mentees Register here