Women in STEM Research (WiSR) Mentoring Program

About the WiSR Program

The Women in STEM Research (WiSR) Mentoring Program was launched in 2021 to connect women HDRs (including cis-and trans-women) and gender diverse students with academic or industry professionals for one-on-one mentoring. The program aims to guide students in their transition from education to different career pathways, create awareness about career opportunities, build career confidence and help develop skills for personal and professional growth while building a network of academic leaders and industry professionals.   

The program provides one-to-one mentoring with a UTS academic or an industry professional, group mentoring activities, professional development workshops, training sessions, and program opening and graduation events.

This mentoring opportunity is open to all women, including cis-and trans-women, and gender diverse people studying a higher degree by research at UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT.

Program objectives

The WiSR Mentoring Program aims to:

• Guide students in the research sector to transition from education into academic or/and industry career pathways;
• Explore opportunities and identify potential barriers in career pathways;
• Develop skills for personal and professional growth; and
• Build a community of HDR students for professional and career development, including both academic leaders and industry professionals.

Program structure

The WiSR Mentoring Program is designed to be driven by students’ self-identified goals while providing guidance and opportunities to connect with professionals and peers. During the 6-month program, the one-to-one mentoring activities are flexibly arranged between the mentor and mentee. The program team will conduct 2 informal check-ins through the program to enable sharing of experiences and identify any potential challenges and opportunities. In addition, a series of professional and personal skill development workshops will be run for mentees throughout the program including a networking event.

Mentees are required to take ownership and be responsible for the mentoring partnership, and self-organize 20 hours one-on-one meetings with their mentor and complete the 5 mandatory checkpoints set for the program. Additionally, they are required to complete the pre and post program surveys

Checkpoint 1: Goal-setting workshop

This workshop will equip students in:    

• acknowledging and taking 100% of the responsibility for their success in the WiSR mentoring program and their ongoing research studies at UTS;  
• looking at 'why' they are in the program and how this can be anchored to goals and an action plan going forward.     

April 2023

Checkpoint 2: Launch Event

Meet your mentor and share your goals for the program. Plan your mentoring relationship, your first meeting, how to keep in contact, and connect with other mentoring pairs.

May 2023

Checkpoint 3 and 4: Professional development workshops

Professional development workshops will be organized throughout the 6 month duration of the program. Mentees are required to participate in at least 2 workshops. Topics may include interview skills, networking skills, emotional intelligence and negotiation skills.

May, June, September, October 2023

Checkpoint 5: Graduation Evening

This is your opportunity to reflect and share what you have gained from your mentoring experience and practice presenting in a professional context. Then we celebrate!

November 2023

 

Why be a mentor in the WiSR mentoring program?

• Satisfaction from giving back.
• Share your career journey and experience.
• Help shape the current and future research and professional workplace culture.

Role and responsibilities of the mentor

• Actively communicate with your mentee to organise mentoring activities.
• Guide your mentee to achieve their personal and professional goals.
• Increase your mentee’s awareness of career opportunities and pathways.
• Guide your mentee to find and develop professional networks.
• Guide your mentee to develop an understanding of their chosen field.

Why be a mentee in the WiSR mentoring program?

• More confidence and awareness about educational and career pathways
• Be part of a professional network.
• Build personal and professional capabilities such as resilience, confidence, leadership, and self-assurance.
• Guidance to navigate your research studies.

Roles and responsibilities of the mentee

• Actively initiate and maintain clear and regular communications with your mentor to organise mentoring meetings and activities, and ensure adequate notice is given for any changes to arrangements.
• Organize meetings with your mentor and be open-minded to different mentoring activities. Mentees are expected to spend a minimum of 20 hours with their mentor during the program.
• Share your goals with your mentor and actively work towards achieving them.
• Ask your mentor for guidance where required.
• Complete and participate in all mentoring program activities, events and workshops.
• Maintain confidentiality (as required) and uphold the values and standards of the mentors’ organisation

Applications for 2024 are open in January.

Frequently asked questions

What is the anticipated form of communication and engagement (zoom / face to face / emails)?

This should be discussed between mentor/mentee to best suit your situation and circumstances. We encourage either in-person or online meetings as convenient and appropriate for both the mentor and mentee.

What are the criteria considered when making the mentor/mentee match?

The main criteria considered in this pilot program are the research field, and preference for an academic or industry career objectives and pathways. We also take into consideration whether the mentee prefers a senior professional or an early career professional, and if they have a preferred mentor gender . In addition, career objectives are also considered.

What is the commitment?

To graduate from the WiSR Mentoring Program, and receive it on their academic transcript, students must: 

• Spend at least 20 hours with their mentor
• Attend the goal-setting workshop, launch and graduation events - the mid-program networking event is optional
• Participate in a minimum of two professional development workshops
• Complete the pre- and post-program surveys