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Alumni Relations

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Alumni Mentorship Progamme

What is it?

In 2021, a pilot mentorship scheme exclusively for EMBL alumni was launched by EMBL Alumni Relations in partnership with the EMBL Alumni Association. The scheme resulted in 66 pairs of mentors and mentees from around the world, a diverse group from different genders, nationalities, work sectors and career levels.

Mentors enjoyed supporting and inspiring scientists, science communicators and administrators at all stages in their careers. While mentees gained insights into specific sectors and received valuable career advice from new and established professionals in a range of roles.

With the conclusion of a successful pilot scheme, we are planning to expand the programme in early 2023.

How it works

  1. Mentors and mentees register with Alumni Relations (Ruairi McEvoy) to take part and agree to the EMBL mentoring guidelines.
  2. Registered mentees will gain access to the database of mentors and be asked to indicate their 3 preferred mentors.
  3. You will be matched with your mentor/mentee based on your preferences and the availability of mentors
  4. Matched mentors and mentees are asked to arrange 2-3 virtual meetings over six months (or less) via a convenient medium for you. 
  5. EMBL will provide you with access to resources, support and advice to help you make the most of the relationship.
  6. After your initial meetings, we will ask you to provide feedback and indicate whether you would like to be matched with another mentor/mentee.

Resources

Click here to access mentorship guidelines, useful resources, tips and sample questions to aid your mentoring relationship.

Thank you

Thank you to the 150+ alumni who have kindly volunteered as a mentor. We are delighted with the diversity represented in terms of career level, gender balance, nationality, global distribution, work sector and job category. Thanks to the generosity of the community, there should be a suitable mentor for everyone, while it may take some time before you are matched with a mentee.

Thank you also to the EMBL Alumni Association board for driving this initiative. We look forward to evolving this pilot programme into a valuable permanent resource for EMBL alumni and staff.

Contact

If you would like to be matched with a mentor or you have any questions about the mentorship programme, please contact Alumni Volunteer Officer Ruairi McEvoy.

EMBL Alumni Association Board members Marina and Anne-Marie who helped to establish the mentorship programme said: “EMBL has been a special place for all of us, a place of exceptional opportunities, collaborative spirit and dedication to research. We are looking forward to extending these opportunities via this new mentorship programme, which will provide participants with mentorship from experts at all career levels in all work sectors.”

Marina Chekulaeva: Group Leader, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association

Anne-Marie Glynn: Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Global Brain Health Institute, University of California | Trinity College Dublin

Marina Chekulaeva and Anne-Marie Glynn
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