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Jefferson Postdoctoral Association

Mentors in Motion

The Mentors-in-Motion (MiM) program is designed to facilitate networking and information exchange between Jefferson postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, faculty members and alumni while engaging in healthy physical activity (walking).

Each week a new theme is selected around professional development and well-being (i.e. mentoring, scientific publishing, networking etc.).

The session will start at the Jefferson Alumni Hall lobby. The participants will meet with 3-4 mentors and will have a chance to learn from their experience while enjoying a casual walk to and around Washington Square. This is a perfect opportunity to kick sedentary lifestyle habits while networking and learning in an informal environment. 

This program was inspired by the “Walk with a Doc” organization, the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education Train the Trainers meeting 2016 and 2018 and an organized “Netwalking” event at the Association of American Medical Colleges’ (AAMC) Graduate Research Education And Training (GREAT) Group annual meeting.

Note that though free, tickets are required and the number of participants per session is limited to allow for meaningful engagement between the mentors and mentees. There is no limit to the number of sessions you can register for.

All sessions will be held on Wednesdays at 4pm. In case of inclement weather we will walk along an indoor route.

The weekly themes for upcoming (and previous) sessions are listed below.

Upcoming Sessions

Stay tuned for our 2019 dates and topics

Previous Sessions

September 12th - Grants and funds management
September 26th - “Natural” transitions in academia (from graduate student to tenure and everything in between)
October 3rd - The science of guilt
October 10th - Healthy life on a scientist’s schedule
October 17th - Mentor-Mentee relationships in the lab and beyond

July 2017: Theme – Mentoring
July 12 – Tips on finding a good mentor (Kickoff session)
July 19 - Tips for being a good mentee
July 26– Tips for becoming a good mentor

August 2017: Theme – Careers in Academia
August 2 – Career in Academia: Tenure Track
August 9 - Career in Academia: Facility Management/ Research Track
August 16 - Career in Academia: Teaching Track/Higher Ed Administration
August 23 – Grant writing tips for student and postdoc fellowships
August 30 – Grant writing tips for K99/R00 or other K awards

September 2017: Theme – Careers in Private Sector
September 6 - Career in Industry: Biotech
September 13 - Career in Industry: Pharma
September 20- No meeting due to Rosh Hashana holiday
September 27 - Career in Non-Profit

October 2017: Theme – Life outside the lab
October 4 – Dual Career (or two body problem)
October 11 – Work Life Balance
October 18 – Starting a Family

Please refer to the frequently asked questions below for additional information. Contact Jenny Schneider, PhD with topic suggestions at Jenny.Schneider@jefferson.edu

FAQs

A: No, you can attend as many (or as few) sessions as you would like, but each session requires a separate ticket. Free tickets can be obtained at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mentors-in-motion-tickets-35692842252 

A: No preparation is required to attend the sessions. For comfort, please bring walking shoes and water.

A: We limit the attendance to make sure we have enough mentors so that every participant can benefit from the event. In addition, walking in small groups makes it possible to enjoy a great conversation.

A: In order to make sure that we recruit enough mentors for each session, we ask the participants to get their free ticket. In addition, if there aren’t enough mentees to sign up for the event, we reserve the right to cancel a session.

A: While we only ask the mentors to commit to the limited time of the session as part of the Mentors and Motion Program, trainees could choose to follow up with the mentor(s) that they meet to thank them for their time and potentially engage in an Informational Interview conversation at a later time

A: The Mentors in Motion Program provides a unique opportunity to enhance your professional network in a less formal atmosphere. Having a strong professional network is crucial to your success in obtaining a job both in Academia and the Private Sector. Building relationships with potential mentors helps you to be successful in your future job search. In addition, walking is known to reduce stress, increase energy and motivation, and improve health and well-being.

A:  YES! The key to a successful job search is having a strong professional network. Building your network takes time and effort and the best results are achieved when you invest small amounts of time over a long time period. It is never too early to start building relationships with future mentors. For more information about networking see How to Build Your Network. In addition, walking is known to reduce stress, increase energy and motivation, and improve health and well-being.

A: While we can’t speak for all the mentors, knowing that your advice is valued and can help someone starting on their career path is satisfying. In addition, as a Principal Investigator, it’s a great way to meet future lab members or collaborators and for Alumni, it’s interesting to learn about the newest research at Jefferson. 

A: While every situation is unique and each mentor brings a different perspective, skills, and experience, our participants have discussed grant writing, research interests, mentoring relationships and general career advice with the mentors. Additionally, some mentors may be willing to review/edit a manuscript/grant, discuss specific career paths and help you set career goals. Mentoring comes in different shapes and flavors. Postdoctoral fellows can mentor graduate students, and peer mentoring is another great way to get advice and connect with your community.  

A: Yes, Mentors in Motion program qualifies for the LiveWell credit for postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and staff. To receive credit for your activity, visit myJeffHub for more information on Jefferson’s Wellness Rewards Program or to listen to our program overview and select “Track” on the left hand side menu. A maximum of 30 points per program year can be earned by participating in Mentors in Motion Program.

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