Mentorship refers to a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person (mentor) helps a less experienced or less knowledgeable person (mentee).

Each student of the Berlin School of Mind and Brain has access to mentorship. Humboldt Graduate School offers “peer mentoring” for doctoral students in their first year, and “one-to-one mentoring” for doctoral students in their second year and later.

Peer mentoring

Peer mentoring has proven to be very successful in dealing with some of the challenges of the doctoral process. A peer mentoring team is made up of about 4–6 doctoral peers. Team members help and support each other in identifying and achieving their goals. Ideally, members meet every few weeks and report on their achievements (or failures) and ask for feedback and ideas.

One-to-one mentoring

For students in their second year and later Humboldt Graduate School offers a one-to-one mentoring program. Mentors are experienced scientists or individuals from the private or the public sector, and they enable doctoral students at the beginning of their careers to benefit from their experience. Humboldt Graduate School assists doctoral students in identifying suitable mentors and offers additional information regarding career development.

The types of questions to be addressed during the mentoring relationship:

• What are the key qualities and skills needed to succeed in science besides brilliant research ideas and results? How can these qualities and skills be developed?
• What strategies can you employ in order to secure your long-term career goals?
• How do you get in touch with people who can support your goals?

If you would like to learn more about the mentoring program at Humboldt Graduate School, please contact Dr. Regina Wenk: regina.wenk-please remove this text-@hu-berlin.de