Supporting Students Through Formal Mentoring Programs

It’s easy to assume that most mentoring relationships are organically formed. But effective mentoring can take many forms, and relationships are often formed through formal mentorship programs. 

Mentoring programs require a lot of resources and investments, like time, energy, and money. But they can be incredibly effective in mentoring and retaining students in STEMM fields. In this episode, students and postdocs share stories of how mentorship programs supported them in their academic journeys. Students share how programs helped them pivot their academic pursuits, feel comfortable in new settings, and work to recruit and retain underrepresented students in STEMM careers. 

To learn more about the Science of Effective Mentorship in STEMM report, and for a guide to implementing best practices at your institution, visit NAS.edu/mentoring. 

Brought to you by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.