Mentorship is defined as the influence, guidance, or direction given by a mentor. A mentor may help with exploring careers, setting goals, developing contacts, and identifying resources.

Our goal is to match trainees where applicable (and wanted) with academic faculty (i.e., a VAST co-investigator or collaborator), a senior peer mentor, and/or a non-academic mentor (i.e., industry/non-profit/community partner, clinician).

In order to facilitate matches based on expectations upon time, career goals, and professional interests, please fill out the registration survey above. Please continue the form until you see the message "We thank you for your time spent taking this survey. Your response has been recorded." Incomplete entries will not be considered. The basic expectation for mentees signing up in this program is getting in touch with your assigned mentor. At a minimum, if you feel that you aren't sure what to ask or talk about, or no longer have the time in your schedule to include this, to get in touch to let your mentor know. The basic expectation for mentors signing up in this program is to respond to your mentee introduction email. Mentees can also sign up to be senior peer mentors. Trainees are considered as individuals registered in undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, or postdoctoral programs, as well as early career researchers that are within 5 years of an appointed academic position.

Effective mentorship relationships have clear expectations and communication. . We will hold an introduction and workshop on January 11 (info to come) for both mentors and mentees to better understand how to get the most out of their mentorship relationships. We also aim to hold group sessions throughout the year. We will collect feedback at mid-point and at the end of the year to continuously improve the program.

If you experience challenges throughout the program, feel your match is inappropriate, or otherwise have questions about the program expectations, please contact Jolene - jolene.phelps@ucalgary.ca.