What is a Mentoring Circle?

Mentoring Circles are groups of people who meet on a regular basis for an agreed upon length of time. Mentors are volunteer senior postdoctoral fellows at BWH, who have been trained to mentor junior colleagues towards their career growth.

How does it work?

Mentoring Circles consist of 2 peer-mentors and 5-7 mentees, who meet monthly over the course of the academic year (September-May). Mentors and mentees are matched based on the information provided in Mentor and Mentee applications (focus of interest, career trajectory, avoiding matching people within a division or department, etc.).

Mentors and Mentees are recruited from May through August. The number of slots available for mentees depends upon the number of mentors that we were available to recruit.

The circle provides an open and supportive environment for postdoctoral fellows to accelerate their professional development. The group shares career experiences, challenges, or opportunities with the aim of developing mentees’ self-confidence, leadership, communication skills, and professionalism.

Who is eligible?

Mentors are senior postdoctoral fellows, including previous MCP mentee participants, who volunteer to mentor junior colleagues towards their career growth (mentoring training is provided by the program). Mentors are committed to dedicate a minimum of 2-3 hour-session per month over the academic year (September-May) and to attend the MCP Kickoff, Mid-year event, and Final Celebration.

Mentees: are junior postdoctoral fellows at BWH, typically within the first 2 years of their fellowship. Mentees are committed to dedicate a minimum of 2-3 hour-session per month over the academic year (September-May) and to attend the MCP Kickoff, Mid-year event, and Final Celebration.

What is the program time frame?

The Program will start with a kick-off event in August/September, where mentors and mentees will meet for the first time. Then, circles will meet monthly over the academic year (September-May). The official program will end with the Mentoring Celebration in May/June, but these mentor-mentee relationships can last a lifetime.

What do I commit to?

• Mentees and Mentors must attend the September/October orientation event to participate in the program.
• Acceptances to the program will be sent via email in August/September, at which time information on the orientation event will be sent.
• Circles commit to meeting 2-3 hours at least once per month, and to attend the kick-off event in September/October.
• Mentors additionally commit to a Mentor-only training event in August/September.

Factors of success:

Commitment to attendance

Mentors and mentees must make a strong commitment to attend each session and ensure continuity of the circle. A person’s ability to attend a meeting affects everyone in the circle.

Confidentiality

What is said in a circle meeting must stay within the circle. Everyone in the circle must enter with a willingness to share honestly and openly. Everyone must be able to trust everyone in the circle.

Rapport within the circle

The success of the circle is highly dependent on the openness, honesty and sharing of all members. Appreciate the mix of personalities and talents in the group. Individuals may not necessarily like one another, but should understand that there is something to be gained from everyone.