I’ve put together a thoughtful set of EXERCISES& TIPS to help you uncover what makes you truly unique, spark meaningful conversations, give your CV that extra edge with practical, easy-to-follow tips. HAVE A LOOK!

WHY a mentor for scientists?

1. Working in science is captivating, but it can also leave you wondering about the bigger picture that awaits you as you progress on the academic ladder, or when you start to consider what your place might be outside the lab. How to foster your career? Academia is certainly a unique environment with its fast pace and personal drive, but also competition and static hierarchy.
2. In this future landscape, the role of a mentor becomes critically important. A mentor can provide invaluable guidance, share their experiences, and offer advice on navigating career obstacles. They can help scientists identify new opportunities, develop necessary skills, and build professional networks. Mentorship also offers professional and emotional support which are essential for perseverance in a challenging job market.
3. Scientists often face significant challenges when job hunting. Despite their specialized knowledge and advanced skills, finding a suitable position is often daunting. High competition for research positions, especially in academia, adds to the pressure. Transitioning to industry roles may require new skill sets, and the process of obtaining grants or securing tenure can be gruelling. Geographic relocation for job opportunities can also be a personal and professional hurdle.
4. I am sure you are surrounded by lots of smart friends and colleagues to talk to at coffee break… but are they ready to focus only on you and your doubts? Mentors are there to listen, and support only you. In addition, only by booking with a mentor, you are sure to have a dedicated time to address those questions about your career and future that you probably avoid on a daily basis.

A MENTOR is someone who you turn to for advice in an area that they are more experienced in than you, And that someone shares their experiences and insights with you. And you take from that what you will (ref.).

Is it possible to find the same satisfaction outside academia?
How to identify the perfect role in the private sector?
Are scientists managers, consultants, or leaders?

If you have seen my articles in Science, Nature, or THE, you know that the answer is YES! Let me help you find your place outside the lab.

My articles on mentoring

• When a scientist becomes an inventor | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect
• Mentoring: The intangible tool to a better quality of life for scientists! ¦ Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA)
• How to find personal fulfilment after being a scientist | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect (timeshighereducation.com)
• Six actionable strategies to be a successful ambidextrous leader | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect
• Should academics embrace ambidextrous leadership to future-proof their career? | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect
• How mentor and mentee can help each other | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect (timeshighereducation.com)
• To find career satisfaction, I learned I didn’t have to choose just one job | Science | AAAS
• Flagging gender bias doesn’t always work | Nature
• Interview with Greta Faccio, PhD – With a Science Degree
• FUN FACT: The word mentor is derived from the name of a character appearing in Homer’s Odyssey. When Odysseus (aka Ulysses) was called to fight the Trojan War, he left his infant son Telemachus in the care of a wise friend, Mentor. Odysseus asked Mentor to protect and guide Telemachus during his absence, which lasted until Telemachus himself was a young man of about twenty (ref.).