The SER Mentoring Pilot Program is the first step toward building a long term mentoring program that will connect SER members across training and career stages to develop professional networks, provide and receive advice, and discuss current literature and research opportunities. The goal of the mentoring program will be to facilitate long-term connections and conversations that will help participants to achieve their career goals in epidemiology.
In the pilot program, mentor teams will be formed. These teams will include investigators and professionals at varying career stages as well as trainees, matched on the basis of areas in which individuals would like to receive, and/or can provide, mentoring. Mentor teams will meet (e.g., in person, over video, or by phone) once per month, and will be provided with a suggested topic for discussion from the mentoring program planning committee. Mentor teams may choose to discuss the suggested topic or focus their monthly meeting on another topic at their discretion based on the group interests.
The sign-up period for the pilot program will be October 1-31 2019. Participants will be notified of program acceptance, mentor team assignment, and other relevant information in December 2019. Mentor teams will meet monthly during January-June 2020. The pilot program will culminate with an in-person event at the 2020 SER annual meeting in Boston (June 16-19).
Mentor teams should meet (e.g., in person, over video, or by phone) for one hour each month. Topic suggestions and resources for discussion will be provided, but mentor teams may discuss other relevant topics of their choice.
Yes. The “mentor team” structure allows for an individual to participate as both a mentor and a mentee. The intake form allows individuals to elect to participate as a mentor, mentee, or both.
Mentor teams will be formed on the basis of career stage as well as shared areas in which individuals would like to receive, and can provide, mentoring, including research interests.
Anyone interested in participating in the pilot program as either a mentor, mentee, or both will be able to sign-up for the pilot program by clicking the “register” link on the pilot program website during the entire month of October 2019.
