The Graduate & Postdoctoral Education Office is excited to introduce a new Peer Mentorship Program for grad students in the Faculty of Medicine.
We are looking for volunteers to mentor incoming MSc and PhD students starting in September 2020.
To become a mentor, you must have been in your graduate program for at least one year, or be a postdoctoral fellow.
You don’t need any special skills or background—your experience navigating the research landscape at UBC makes you an excellent resource for new students.
Deadline extended: Sign up to become a mentor before August 17!
As you know, graduate school is a unique experience that differs from an undergraduate degree in important ways.
This transition can be daunting and overwhelming; talking to peers who have “been there” can help new students find their footing and thrive during their first year and beyond.
This faculty-wide Peer Mentorship Program is a pilot initiative intended to complement existing peer mentorship programs. Students in programs with existing mentorship programs (e.g., Rehabilitation Sciences, Interdisciplinary Oncology, School of Population and Public Health) are welcome to participate in both programs if they choose. Despite the added time commitment, there are many advantages to interacting with students in different programs, research areas, and geographic locations.
As a mentor, you will:
- Participate in a one-hour orientation seminar with Karen Ross (Wellbeing Support Coordinator) – date TBD, early September
- Hone transferable skills: leadership, communication, and other aspects of mentoring
- Build contacts and develop connections
- Contribute to the student community by supporting peers
If and when in-person events become possible, the Graduate & Postdoctoral Education Office may organize mentorship gatherings and activities. There will also be opportunities to attend one or more optional seminars to further build your leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills in relation to the mentorship role.
Time commitment:
The mentorship relationship is developed over 1 year, with an estimated time commitment for mentors of 15-20 hours. Mentees and mentors are encouraged to jointly attend at least one event per year hosted by the Faculty of Medicine or within their program/site (this event may be virtual). In addition, mentees and mentors should aim to maintain at least one point of contact per month (email/phone/Zoom, or in-person if circumstances permit).
Sign up now!
If you are interested in signing up to be a mentor, please complete the questionnaire at this link. This information will help us match you with an incoming student, whether in your program or elsewhere in the Faculty of Medicine.
Please complete the questionnaire ASAP, and no later than August 17, 2020. For more information please contact Karen Ross at karen.ross@ubc.ca.