Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Graduate Mentoring Program

The Graduate Mentoring Program (GMP) creates formal connections between graduate science students and faculty or postdoctoral mentors in the Faculty of Science. The GMP recognizes that relationships between student and faculty are critical to student achievement. While many graduate students will engage in relationships with their thesis supervisor, these relationships are not always enough to address student issues. Mentorship can offer many benefits to graduate students, including increased

  • academic success
  • program retention
  • support in their personal and professional development

As a faculty-wide initiative, student mentees may desire a connection with faculty outside of their area of research on matters that are not always related to academics. The GMP simplifies those connections for students and faculty.

 

Objectives Of The Graduate Mentorship Program

Provide beneficial, mentee-focused mentorships that are focused on addressing the needs of the student.

Assist graduate students with navigating potential career pathways within and beyond academia.

Strengthen student’s personal connections to the university and provide a supportive community.

Meet other mentees and mentors at our fall kick-off social!

Mentorship and Careers Kick-Off Social: Navigating Your Future with Confidence Register

Wednesday, September 27th, 1-4pm in MUSC 311/313: Stay for some or stay for all!

Join us for an exciting afternoon marking a new academic year of mentorship and career development programming. Meet other graduate students, mentors, enjoy food, refreshments, and fun (optional) icebreaker games.

RSVP as soon as possible to secure your spot. Let’s create a thriving community together. See you there!

How It Works

Applications are open year-round. Both mentees and mentors will be supported through regular check-ins, monthly events and the providing of high-quality resources and toolkits.

For Mentors

Faculty who are interested in becoming mentors can fill out a Mentor Application and book a brief meeting with the Graduate Mentorship and Career Coordinator. This meeting will help introduce new mentors to the program and inform their match with a student.

Resources For Mentors

Mentors Apply Here

For Mentees

If you are interested in becoming a student mentee, you can fill out a Mentee Application and book a brief meeting with the Graduate Mentorship and Career Coordinator. This meeting will inform the coordinator of your mentorship preferences, which will be used to facilitate your ideal mentor match.

Resources For Mentees

Mentees Apply Here

Mentorship Program Participation Requirements

There is room for flexibility in the Graduate Mentorship Program—please reach out to the Mentorship Coordinator with any requests you might have.

Requirement #1

Dedicate time and availability to your mentee or mentor.

Minimum expectation is 1 meeting per term with each assigned mentee, this meeting can be virtual or in-person.

This is a minimum, please feel free to check in more regularly with your mentee or mentor.

Requirement #2

Minimum commitment for a mentorship is 1 academic year.

After 1 academic year, regular check-ins and feedback to the Mentorship Coordinator are no longer required—however you are encouraged to continue meeting with your match.

Requirement #3

Participate in feedback or evaluation surveys.

Requirement #4

Inform the Mentorship Coordinator of any issues or concerns related to your mentorship.

Contact

All participation in this program is greatly appreciated. If you have feedback, questions, or would like more information, please contact Michael Adebo, Graduate Mentorship and Career Coordinator.

Hear From Current And Past Mentees:

“It’s been valuable to gain perspective from a mentor in a different department than my home department. Having dedicated time to discuss future career plans during my studies has helped me feel more prepared to make decisions before and after I graduate. I have also had the opportunity to have an informational interview that my mentor arranged through her network.” – Jennifer, MSc in Computational Science and Engineering

“The mentorship program has been instrumental in my confidence as a graduate student. Graduate school can sometimes be overwhelming, so having a professor to talk to who is not directly involved in your research or academics can be very beneficial. I recommend this program to anyone looking to gain guidance, expand their network, and meet some incredibly kind humans along the way.“ – Anonymous, MSc in Mathematics

“The mentorship program allowed me to connect with one of the kindest, nicest and most helpful professors in the Astrophysics department. With his guidance, what was once an overwhelming, daunting task now seems more accomplishable. Not only did the program introduce me to an individual who is an excellent mentor, but also presented the opportunity to meet a great person!” – Aneesa, PhD (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences)