One of the most important commitments of SPER is to support the next generation of researchers. For this reason, we are considering implementing a remote mentoring initiative to provide guidance to trainees and early investigators while they establish their careers in this competitive research environment.
The idea is to connect interested trainees and early investigator members with more senior persons willing to provide career and scientific advice. Trainees, individuals who are <5 years from their highest degree, or other individuals who have started in a new position (including those >5 years from their last degree) are eligible to be mentees. Early investigators (even if <5 years from last degree) and individuals with 5 or more years from their highest degree who are currently employed in a position involving research are eligible to be mentors.
Members who agree to serve as mentors will be paired up with one or two individuals, based on interests and needs. The initial commitment will be for one-year (renewable if both parties agree). While the terms are flexible, and will be left to the discretion of each mentor-mentee pair, it is expected that mentors be available for a 1-hour conversation with their mentee(s) every 2-3 months, at minimum, and that they be willing to reply to occasional queries.
To determine the interest in this initiative, and start collecting information on members willing to take part, we invite you to complete the following brief survey.
A member who wishes to sign up both as mentor and mentee should choose one option, and then write to Carmen Messerlian (cmesser@hsph.harvard.edu) to express interest in both.