RS Mentoring

Being mentored can be a really useful way of getting guidance and support from a more experienced colleague to help you develop your career. Mentoring can happen either informally or formally and on an individual or group basis.

Research Staff Mentoring Circles 2013/14

"I would highly recommend other early researchers to use this opportunity to discuss their careers." (Former mentee).

Our popular Mentoring Circles are happening once again and registration is now open.

Are you considering your future career prospects?
Would you value others’ perspective on this?
Would you like to meet other researchers facing similar challenges to you?
Would you like to hear from a senior academic on how they have navigated their career?

If so, you might find that a research staff mentoring circle is just what you are looking for.

In this mentoring scheme each circle is led by an experienced academic (the mentor) and consists of 7-10 research staff (the mentees). Research staff mentees should be on Grades I - K. All circles are cross-disciplinary, offering an opportunity for networking with researchers from outside your own discipline and to gain valuable outside perspectives on your career. The circles aim to provide a forum in which research staff can talk about their careers, share their experiences and discuss challenges they are facing with both a supportive peer group, as well as a more experienced academic. Examples of topics that might be discussed are: CVs, interview techniques and work-life balance.

Registration

Meetings will generally take place in the main University precinct, although we are trying to organise one group based in Langford (Bristol Veterinary School). When you sign up to join a circle, you will be asked to pick a day and time that is convenient to you. We will do our best to accommodate everyone's preferred choices. The options for dates are:

Tuesdays: 3 Dec 13, 4 Feb 14, 1 Apr 14 and 3 Jun 14
Wednesdays: 4 Dec 13, 5 Feb 14, 2 Apr 14 and 4 Jun 14
Thursdays: 5 Dec 13, 6 Feb 14, 3 Apr 14 and 5 Jun 14.

Pre-requisites

We need all mentees to attend a short induction session regarding the scheme. The induction aims to clarify expectations for the scheme and helps you to start reflecting on your own career so that you are ready to discuss this with the group. Please note that if you were part of a circle last year, you do not need to attend an induction session this year. As part of the registration process you will be asked to sign up to an induction session.

Duration

Each circle will meet four times, from Dec 13 to Jun 14. You are expected to attend all four sessions. Each meeting should last about two hours.

How to apply

To register for the 2013/14 Mentoring Circle Scheme please complete the online form. The deadline for registration is 27 October 2013. If you have any questions about it please contact Alice Scott on A.Scott@bristol.ac.uk or (0117) 928 8269.

Feedback from other former mentees:

"I valued the cross-discipline framework as I think it gives you a better understanding of the university as a whole and how other departments work, either to try to emulate work practices or to try to avoid work practices."

"A very useful and helpful scheme. I enjoyed meeting others in the circle and hearing their career questions as well as asking my own."

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Athena SWAN Mentoring Circles

The Athena SWAN Mentoring Circles are for women working in the SET area.

Individual Mentoring

Alternatively, you may want to find yourself an individual mentor. This could be someone from your department or further afield, depending on what you want to discuss/work on. It is important to pick the right person and to establish early on what you want to get out of the relationship.

Questions to ask yourself and things to think about when trying to identify a mentor:

Is there anyone in your current network that may be suitable?
Are there any academics that you have come across who you particularly respect?
What areas do you want to develop? - do you know anyone who is strong in those areas?
Talk to some senior colleagues to get a feel for their approach to work/life etc. and try to find a fit.
If you can, find out if they have mentored anyone before and how successful they are.
Check for possible conflicts of interest.
Look for someone who will challenge you.
Think about what's in it for them?
How are you going to get the most out of a mentoring relationship?

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