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 and has grown steadily since. To see when applications will open for the upcoming academic year, check the MCP Registration Page.

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 safe 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