Mentoring Scheme

The Statistical Science Mentoring scheme aims at supporting and encouraging a professional relationship in which an experienced professional (the mentor) assists another, less experienced professional (the mentee) in appraising, reflecting upon and steering the mentee’s career and personal growth within the complicated and increasingly large academic world.

The scheme aims to create a LIGHT-TOUCH, NON-bureaucratic and supportive community of peers that work together for the advancement of each other’s careers.

Definition of mentoring:

There is substantial literature on mentoring and many definitions. For the purpose of this scheme we are defining mentoring as ‘a professional relationship in which an experienced person (the mentor) assists another (the mentee) in developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance the mentee’s career and personal growth’.

Who is it for?

The aim is the Chemistry Mentoring scheme to be open to all academic, research and professional services members of staff of all grades and genders. Women are particularly encouraged to apply as both mentors and mentees.

Why take part?

Mentorship relations allow mentors to reflect upon academic and professional life and to feel that they have contributed to other people’s careers. Mentees can benefit from the experience, alternative perspectives and even knowledge, skills and contacts of their mentors. To ensure the time availability of mentors, Chemistry will be acknowledging the contribution of mentors in the annual workload exercise, and progressively introducing a number of other related incentives.

Benefits of Mentoring:

• Developing professional relationships beyond their usual ‘organisational reach’ 
• Enhancing their professional reputation 
• Increasing their job satisfaction 
• Reflecting on their own careers through a new perspective 
• Developing interpersonal skills 

Mentees benefit from:

• Increasing their self-awareness, motivation and confidence 
• Receiving impartial advice and encouragement 
• Building networking skills 
• Gaining greater clarity about their career aspirations 

 The benefits of mentoring reach beyond the person who is being mentored, to the mentors themselves and the wider university community.