MENTEE COMMITMENTS

• The main protagonist of a mentoring process (from a learning point of view) has to be the mentee. This is because a mentoring process is not carried out with the aim of recognising, rewarding or developing mentors, but to prepare, train and/or develop the mentee in order to face new challenges and/or take on increasing responsibilities.
• The mentee is someone who is interested in discovering or researching a specific area and, to do so, participates in a process of direct relationship with an expert, a mentor, who has been working in that area for some time and who will guide him/her in the learning process, opening new doors and interests.
• To participate, it is necessary to be eager to learn, to discover, to research a topic of interest and to be committed to the mentoring process and programme.

• In the PDI UC3M Mentoring Programme, each pair will meet in person or virtually 6 times (minimum) over 6 months. It will be the responsibility of the mentee to contact the mentor and confirm each session.

• Confidentiality, respect for each other's comments and time are the cornerstones of the mentoring.

• We will provide you with a Handbook which is intended as a guide for both mentors and mentees to facilitate the sessions and the development of this pilot programme.

• We will be close to the pairings throughout the process to inform you of upcoming online meetings, check how you are getting on with the sessions, and see if you need any logistical support.

• We have set up post-meeting forms for Mentees to fill in. Details of the meeting itself are not requested, as they are highly confidential.

• Mentees will be asked to complete a satisfaction survey at the end of the programme.

• Get to know new points of view, perspectives.
• Have support and advice for the next step in your professional career.
• Meet new people beyond your PhD supervisor.
• Know what is "out there" for researchers.

In the UC3M PDI Mentoring Programme, we suggest that you address some of these issues during your meetings. But this is only a guideline, conversations can revolve around any other topic that concerns you.

1. Career aspirations
2. What is "going beyond academia"?
3. Important non-academic skills.
4. Deepening some competences: Gender considerations, Networking, Conflict management, Time management: work/life balance.
5. What have we achieved, what comes next?

• Predoctoral students in their last two years or young researchers who are considering exploring career options beyond academia.
• From all disciplines.
• Enthusiastic, proactive and open-minded.

• Mentees will be called in October for an initial training on two possible dates and times to facilitate their participation. The objective of this training will be to explain the basics of mentoring and of this particular programme. Participation in this webinar is mandatory.
• Mentees are invited to share their experiences throughout the programme with the other participants of the programme through online sessions. This meeting will serve to exchange successful and unsuccessful practices and to advise and support each other.
• Mentees will receive two online sessions on how to deal with the job search outside academia and how to write a CV for a non-academic job.