The Mentoring Circles Program (MCP) – A Mentoring Program for Postdocs by Postdocs
The BWH-PDA has established the Mentoring Circles Program to help postdocs get the most out of their training at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. MCP is a program created by postdocs for postdocs, where 2 mentors (senior postdocs) meet 5-7 mentees (junior postdocs from BWH) on a monthly basis to give advice and advance their career.
The Mentoring Circles Program was initiated in the Fall of 2013 for the 2013-2014 academic year with an inaugural class of 18 postdocs. In the current academic year (2019-2020), over 70 postdocs participated in the Program. Applications for the 2020-2021 academic year will be open around May, 2020.
We are always looking for more members, so come join us and make a difference in your career and at BWH!
Our mission is to improve research through the development of young scientists. The MCP has laid out goals to achieve this mission.
- Provide mentoring opportunities for all BWH postdoctoral fellows.
- Create a save environment for peer-to-peer mentoring.
- Improve academic mentoring by teaching young researchers mentoring skills early in their career.
- Develop lifelong mentor relationships for young scientists.
- Help the participants to create an individual development plan for their professional career
DISCUSSION TOPICS include but are not limited to:
- Career Goals (Industry, Biotech, Consulting)
- Individual Development Plan
- Professional Network (PI, mentors, colleagues)
- Public Image (LinkedIn, Facebook, webpage)
- Professional Statements (Personal Statement, CV, Resume)
- Communication Skills (Interviews, Podium, Chalk Talk)
- Effective Writing (Papers, Grants, Letters)
- Extramural Activities (Awards, Committees, Volunteerism)
- Mentoring (Effective Feedback, Management, Teaching)
- Work-life Balance