Graduate Mentoring Program
The Graduate Mentoring Program in the Faculty of Science recognizes that relationships between student and faculty are critical to student achievement. While many graduate students will engage in relationships with their thesis supervisor, these relationships are not always enough to address student issues. Mentorship can offer many benefits to graduate students, including increased
- academic success
- program retention
- support in their personal and professional development
As a faculty-wide initiative, student mentees may desire a connection with faculty outside of their area of research on matters that are not always related to academics. The Graduate Mentorship Program simplifies those connections for students and faculty.
Objectives of the Graduate Mentorship Program
Provide beneficial, mentee-focused mentorships that are focused on addressing the needs of the student.
Assist graduate students with navigating potential career pathways within and beyond academia.
Strengthen student’s personal connections to the university and provide a supportive community.
How It Works
Both mentees and mentors will be supported through regular check-ins, monthly events and the providing of high-quality resources and toolkits.
For Mentors
Faculty who are interested in becoming mentors can fill out a Mentor Application and book a brief meeting with the Graduate Mentorship and Career Coordinator. This meeting will help introduce new mentors to the program and inform their match with a student.
For Mentees
If you are interested in becoming a student mentee, you can fill out a Mentee Application and book a brief meeting with the Graduate Mentorship and Career Coordinator. This meeting will inform the coordinator of your mentorship preferences, which will be used to facilitate your ideal mentor match.
Resources For Mentors
Resources For Mentees
Mentorship Program Participation Requirements
Mentorship requirements are flexible and minimal:
- Dedicate time and availability to your mentee or mentor (minimum expectation is 1 meeting per term with each assigned mentee, this meeting can be virtual or in-person)
- This is a minimum, please feel free to check in more regularly with your mentee or mentor
- Minimum commitment for a mentorship is 1 academic year
- After 1 academic year, regular check-ins and feedback to the Mentorship Coordinator are no longer required—however you are encouraged to continue meeting with your match
- Participate in feedback or evaluation surveys
- Inform the Mentorship Coordinator of any issues or concerns related to your mentorship.
There is room for flexibility in the Graduate Mentorship Program—please reach out to the Mentorship Coordinator with any requests you might have.
Contact
All participation in this program is greatly appreciated. If you have feedback, questions, or would like more information, please contact Michael Adebo, Graduate Mentorship and Career Coordinator at adeboo@mcmaster.ca.
Book a 1-on-1 Mentorship Meeting with MichaelSupervisor Feedback
Hear from Current and Past Mentees:
“It's been valuable to gain perspective from a mentor in a different department than my home department. Having dedicated time to discuss future career plans during my studies has helped me feel more prepared to make decisions before and after I graduate. I have also had the opportunity to have an informational interview that my mentor arranged through her network.” – Jennifer, MSc in Computational Science and Engineering
“The mentorship program has been instrumental in my confidence as a graduate student. Graduate school can sometimes be overwhelming, so having a professor to talk to who is not directly involved in your research or academics can be very beneficial. I recommend this program to anyone looking to gain guidance, expand their network, and meet some incredibly kind humans along the way.“ - Anonymous, MSc in Mathematics
"The mentorship program allowed me to connect with one of the kindest, nicest and most helpful professors in the Astrophysics department. With his guidance, what was once an overwhelming, daunting task now seems more accomplishable. Not only did the program introduce me to an individual who is an excellent mentor, but also presented the opportunity to meet a great person!" - Aneesa, PhD (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences)
