IMPact for mentees

Who is eligible to be an IMPact mentee?

Any student or early-career APS Member can join. If you're not yet a member, students can join APS for free, for the first year of membership, with deeply discounted rates for undergrads and graduates after that.

What are the benefits of being an IMPact mentee?

By connecting with a mentor in industry, you can begin to grow your professional network, get advice on navigating professional challenges, and develop your leadership and non-technical skills. Participation is open to students and early-career physicists everywhere, so you can find a mentor in your country.

What is expected of IMPact mentees?

Mentees and mentors are expected to meet regularly. This interaction can be a Zoom call, phone call, or any other appropriate method of communication. Each mentor pair will be provided with a Connection Plan, which is a set of adaptive resources and discussion prompts to help you identify and accomplish professional goals. It is up to both the mentor and the mentee to decide whether or not they wish to continue communicating after the three-month mentoring period is over. Mentees are also expected to fill out online evaluation surveys throughout the program.

IMPact mentoring timeline

Once your application is approved, mentees should be able to review and select their preferred mentor. Each mentor pair is matched for 3-months. Mentors and mentees can also adjust their match end date if they would like to extend or terminate their mentorship.

Program outcomes are best reached with consistent and regular check-ins. Mentees are asked to meet with their mentor bi-weekly for approximately 30 minutes. Within a week of selecting your mentor, mentees should reach out to their mentor to schedule an initial meeting. After the first meeting the mentor and mentee should establish a regular schedule to meet and discuss progress. In most cases, meetings will be held virtually.

Dos and don’ts for mentees

Do…

1. Take a proactive role in shaping the relationship
2. Understand what you want from the mentoring relationship and communicate your goals and aspirations to your mentor. Balance a personal and professional relationship with your mentor.
3. Set aside time for the mentoring process and keep all scheduled appointments with your mentor and display professional behavior.
4. Put the time with your mentor to the best use. Come to meetings prepared with planned topics.
5. Respond in a timely manner to your mentor's feedback. Respond to emails from your mentor at most two days after receipt.
6. Be open and honest with your mentor about your challenges and areas of weakness.
7. If something concerning the mentor needs to be discussed with others, it should first be discussed within the mentoring relationship.

Don't…

1. Ask for advice on everything. Have a purpose in each request.
2. Blame the mentor if their advice doesn't work out.
3. Expect the mentor to know all the answers.
4. Commit yourself to obligations you cannot keep.
5. Cancel meetings with your mentor at the last minute.