GradCo runs a peer mentoring program which pairs first- and second-year graduate students with older student mentors to help with the transition to grad school. The point of this program is to offer early graduate students a point of contact and an informal setting to ask any questions, however silly they might seem, about how to succeed in grad school.
We are also always looking for more mentors! This is a great opportunity to help foster a supportive environment at UMD, build your mentoring skills (which will be valuable both as an advisor in academia or as a member of the scientific community outside academia), and help pass on the hard-won wisdom you earned through your blood, sweat, and tears (hopefully not too much of them…) these last few years.
We make new mentoring matches at the start of every academic year. We also welcome new members at the start of every semester. Keep an eye out for sign-up announcements via gradlist or email GradCo with any questions. The program includes:
- Small mentorship groups (1 mentor and 2-3 mentees)
- Social events to get to know your fellow students
- Workshops throughout the semester (in the past, these included workshops on applying to fellowships, how to find an advisor, project management, and others)
- Coffee and ice cream vouchers for your mentor/mentee meetings
Events are announced via email to mentors and mentees and in the GradLounge Slack workspace via the #peer-mentoring channel (invite-only). Currently, the program is organized by Vatsal Agarwal, Rushil Dandamudi, and Noemi Glaeser. If you are interested in helping out, please contact one of us or fill out this form!
