The ASPET Mentoring Network: Coaching for Career Development is a program designed to supplement the training that graduate students and postdoctoral trainees receive through their university programs. The ASPET Mentoring Network will focus on developing skills needed to succeed scientifically, professionally, and psychologically, including discussions about experiences and pressures faced by groups that are underrepresented in the sciences. As a professional development experience, the program uses a coaching model to help participants develop success skills for a variety of careers, including but not limited to academia, industry, government, and policy.
Graduate students and postdoctoral scientists accepted into the 2022-2023 program will attend several events in association with Experimental Biology 2022 in Philadelphia, PA. These will include training, guided discussions, an informal reception on Friday, April 1, and an interactive program on Saturday morning, April 2. During this time, trainees will meet the coaches and other trainees and become part of a six-person coaching group. Each trainee will also meet individually with their coach during the EB 2022 meeting and participate in virtual group meetings throughout the year, typically held as monthly conference calls or webinars. Group events will be tailored to the specific needs of each coaching group but may focus on work/life balance, interview skills, job searches, networking, grant writing, and other topics frequently identified as important to growth as a professional.
