Peer Mentoring Teams
Today’s scientific careers demand a strong network of trusted colleagues, not just independent achievement.
How Peer Mentoring Teams Work
1. Pre-Program
Before the start of the program, the Compass Team creates peer groups of about 6-7 Scholars. We identify individuals in different disciplines at different universities (when possible), but aim to keep everyone in similar time zones to ease scheduling.
2. Introduction
We introduce peer mentoring team members to one another via email a couple of weeks before the program launches and provide instructions on how to get started via the PMT QuickStart Guide. Teams are expected to meet once briefly before the program starts to develop rapport and find a weekly meeting time.
3. First Meeting
During your first official meeting, your team will create a Team Charter to align expectations and create mutual goals.
4. Weekly Meetups
A full PMT Guidebook will be available on the learning platform and provides suggested activities and discussions for weekly meetups. Each week is led by a team member who holds the role of facilitator. Team members will also provide each other feedback on program deliverables.
5. Conclusion
At the conclusion of the training, PMTs revisit their Team Charter to review their progress and decide how their PMT will operate and network after the program.
6. On-going
The Compass Team has a designated Peer Mentoring Team Coordinator who you will be able to reach out to with any questions or concerns throughout the program. They are there to help you resolve any issues you might have, so ask early and often!
What Scholars Say About PMTs
Most Scholars are excited to network with others in the program, and feedback from Scholars shows that PMTs are one of the most impactful Compass components. Some Scholars found meeting with new people to be outside their comfort zone, or even a bit daunting, but even they ended up feeling that PMTs were a major benefit!
Rachel Schwartz, Assistant Professor
“Thanks to one of the amazing women in my PMT extending her professional network and making connections for me, I now have a new set of collaborators for an international project I’ve been working on that needed an additional country site. That connection would not have been possible without the chance to get to know and trust each other through regular meetings that COMPASS provided.”
Joel Sprunger, Assistant Professor
“[Compass] rounded out training in areas of administration, leadership, and best practices. The PMTs were essential to staying accountable and getting input from fantastic interdisciplinary peers across the country.”
Tanya Paes, Postdoc
“The PMT groups provided the opportunity to connect with and continue to seek the support of others going through similar experiences. We support each other and problem-solve together.”