Why mentoring matters

The support of an independent mentor can be transformative for early career researchers, but not everyone feels confident about taking the first step. What are the benefits of mentoring and how do you get the most out of a mentoring relationship?

Mentoring and The Academy of Medical Sciences Mentoring Programme

The Academy of Medical Sciences offers one-to-one mentoring and career development support through their Mentoring Programme. The scheme is co-funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and offers the opportunity for eligible MRC fellows and new investigators to be matched with Academy Fellows who can provide personalised guidance and support.

The programme offers a range of support and resources, including Mentoring Masterclasses, to ensure you have the best chance of a successful relationship. The key advantage is that your mentor is from outside your own institution and can offer completely independent advice, so you can raise issues that you might not feel comfortable discussing with your immediate supervisory team.

‘Being from a different institution to my mentees allows me to have a confidential helicopter perspective of their problems’ Professor Rosalind Smyth (Mentor)

What will you get it out of it?

Being able to bounce ideas off someone who has already built a successful academic career and can offer an unbiased perspective is incredibly helpful, particularly when you need to make those big decisions. You have the time and space to discuss your career progression openly and confidentially with someone who understands the common pitfalls of academia.

‘There’s a lot of experience out there that people are willing to give you’ Dr Graeme Stasiuk (Mentee)

The mentoring relationship

When setting up a new mentoring connection, it’s important to have an initial conversation to get to know each other and set out your mentoring contract. While some prefer to have regularly scheduled meetings every few months, others prefer a more ‘responsive-mode’ approach. You may find you need something different depending on your career stage or the specific challenges you are facing.

‘It’s really up to the mentee how they want the relationship to grow and what they feel is the best way to get something out of it’ Professor Peter Hutchinson (Mentor)

Helping you set boundaries

In the early stages of your career, learning when to say no is key. Mentors can act as a sounding board, but they can also suggest tools and techniques which empower you to advocate for yourself. Mentoring offers an opportunity to speak to someone who has been through it, who understands the different directions you might be pulled and who has made it out the other side.

‘What many of us female academics struggle with is setting boundaries. It’s helpful to know that other female academics before you have actually said no a few times’ Professor Karla Diaz-Ordaz (Mentee)

Still not sure if mentoring is for you?

You may feel apprehensive about entering a mentoring relationship with a senior academic you’ve never met before, but there’s no need. Those signing up as mentors have often benefited from mentoring themselves and want to support the next generation in their research career.

The application process is quick and easy and there’s no right or wrong time to sign up. If you’re at a stage in your career where you need independent advice and support, it can make a real difference.

‘Even if you’ve only played a small role in helping them get to where they want to be, that’s rewarding!’ Professor Hugh Markus (Mentor)

‘The worst that can happen is that you have a wasted coffee’ Dr Elaine Soon (Mentee)

Find out more

Over a hundred MRC-funded Fellows and New Investigators have already benefitted from one-to-one mentoring and career development support through The Academy of Medical Sciences Mentoring Programme.

Find out more about the opportunities available to MRC Fellows and sign up