ISO Peer Mentor Program

The ISO Peer Mentor Program connects experienced IBiS graduate students with the incoming IBiS cohort in order to provide guidance, support, and information about the many aspects of graduate school (ie. IBiS Program, Chicago/Evanston living, lab rotations, etc.). Additionally, the Peer Mentor Program provides opportunities for incoming IBiS students to develop lasting connections with others within the program.

Guidelines for Building a Successful Mentorship Relationship

There is no one-size-fits-all style of a mentoring relationship. Graduate students come from diverse backgrounds and experiences and thus, may vary in the type of mentoring they seek. It is important to communicate and establish expectations early-on. However, this relationship may change throughout the year.

Mentoring relationships should be a positive experience for both the mentee and mentor. The mentee can gain confidence and knowledge in navigating graduate school. The mentor can improve their mentoring capabilities and style for future professional relationships.

Below are aspects to keep in mind for a successful mentorship relationship:

The following are broad descriptions of mentoring styles. Establishing a mentoring style fitting the Mentee at the beginning of the relationship is important! As the mentorship relationship progresses, the style of mentoring may evolve depending on the needs of the Mentee and may incorporate characteristics of both styles.

Laidback: This style of mentoring may have meetings that are situational and irregular. Peer Mentor pairs may agree to be in contact on an “as-needed” basis according to what the Mentee needs.

Structured: Other mentoring relationships might meet regularly (ie. monthly, quarterly). This style may benefit from a more structured meeting setup by incorporating goal setting.

Types of Meetings: The “types” of meetings will depend on the type of mentoring that is needed by the Mentee. Over time, the mentoring relationship will continue to evolve so keep in mind that the nature of the meetings might change. In the first meeting discuss:

How often will you two agree to meet?
How will you set up your meetings?
Do you want to set goals for each other to help hold each other accountable?

Establish forms of contact and how to reach out to one another. Lay the foundation regarding the boundaries and expectations of the mentorship relationship.

Discuss: What is the best way to reach out? (i.e.: text, email, Facebook/Messenger, Slack, WhatsApp, Zoom, Discord etc.)
What is the timeframe in which you should expect a response?
Is there a preferred time of day/week to reach out to each other?
How often should the Mentor/Mentee reach out?
Is there a backup method of communication?

Connection and trust are integral parts in a mentorship relationship.

To have trust, first and foremost, there has to be some (appropriate) confidentiality. Naturally, more personal experiences and concerns might come up in the meetings and may require Mentors to connect Mentees to others who share their experience. Always clarify that you have their permission before connecting them with someone else.

Break the ice in the first meeting by discussing some of the following:

Introduce yourself and your personal and professional background
Establish mentoring style and method of communication
Discuss general topics about IBiS and Northwestern (i.e.: research, PIs, classes, housing, student activities etc)?
For the Mentee: What are your professional and personal goals, long and short term? How can your Mentor help you navigate graduate school? Are there technical skills you want to develop?
For the Mentee: If applicable, what are your mentorship needs (i.e.: advice, friendship, guidance, etc)
For the Mentor: What are some things you wish you had known prior to your first year?
For the Mentor: What challenges did you face in your first year and your advice in hindsight?
For both: Are there areas which you feel need improvement? (i.e.: time management, work-life balance, scientific communication, confidence, leadership, etc)

Goal setting may not be part of everyone’s mentorship relationship. However, it is important to note that setting goals — whether big or small — helps you to stay on track with deadlines, gives you something to work towards, and can help to reduce future anxiety. It is also a necessary skill to hone as you progress through graduate school. It will be helpful to discuss if there are certain goals that each of you want to meet (individual or together).

You can set goals in different areas:

Academic (courses, planning your writing assignments, preparing for exams, etc.)
Mentor-mentee relationship (holding each other accountable )
Professional (skills, career development, business, programming, leadership, etc.)
Outside of graduate school (health, wellness, hobbies, volunteer work/outreach, etc.)

Entering Mentoring by the Wisconsin Program for Scientific Teaching

Mentoring Matters Resources from the NIH

Managing Up to Maximize Mentoring Relationships from the NIH OITE office

NIH Office of Intramural Training & Training

How to Pick a Graduate Advisor published in Neuron-Cell, 2013

The More Mentors, the Merrier published in Science, 2021

My first grad school advisor made my life miserable. Choose yours wisely published in Science, 2020

ISO Peer Mentor Program

Guidelines for Building a Successful Mentorship Relationship

Mentoring relationships should be a positive experience for both the mentee and mentor. The mentee can gain confidence and knowledge in navigating graduate school. The mentor can improve their mentoring capabilities and style for future professional relationships.

Below are aspects to keep in mind for a successful mentorship relationship:

Laidback: This style of mentoring may have meetings that are situational and irregular. Peer Mentor pairs may agree to be in contact on an “as-needed” basis according to what the Mentee needs.

Structured: Other mentoring relationships might meet regularly (ie. monthly, quarterly). This style may benefit from a more structured meeting setup by incorporating goal setting.

Types of Meetings: The “types” of meetings will depend on the type of mentoring that is needed by the Mentee. Over time, the mentoring relationship will continue to evolve so keep in mind that the nature of the meetings might change. In the first meeting discuss:

How often will you two agree to meet?

How will you set up your meetings?

Do you want to set goals for each other to help hold each other accountable?

Establish forms of contact and how to reach out to one another. Lay the foundation regarding the boundaries and expectations of the mentorship relationship.

Discuss: What is the best way to reach out? (i.e.: text, email, Facebook/Messenger, Slack, WhatsApp, Zoom, Discord etc.)

What is the timeframe in which you should expect a response?

Is there a preferred time of day/week to reach out to each other?

How often should the Mentor/Mentee reach out?

Is there a backup method of communication?

Connection and trust are integral parts in a mentorship relationship.

Break the ice in the first meeting by discussing some of the following:

Introduce yourself and your personal and professional background

Establish mentoring style and method of communication

Discuss general topics about IBiS and Northwestern (i.e.: research, PIs, classes, housing, student activities etc)?

For the Mentee: What are your professional and personal goals, long and short term? How can your Mentor help you navigate graduate school? Are there technical skills you want to develop?

For the Mentee: If applicable, what are your mentorship needs (i.e.: advice, friendship, guidance, etc)

For the Mentor: What are some things you wish you had known prior to your first year?

For the Mentor: What challenges did you face in your first year and your advice in hindsight?

For both: Are there areas which you feel need improvement? (i.e.: time management, work-life balance, scientific communication, confidence, leadership, etc)