Annual MASS AWIS Mentoring Circle Program

A mentoring circle is a group of individuals that meet together on a regular basis for an agreed-upon length of time. The group’s primary purpose is to help mentees accomplish two tasks:

    • Set important development goals
    • Build competence and character to reach those goals

The group exchanges experiences, challenges, and opportunities for the purpose of enhancing self-confidence, communication skills, leadership practices, and commitment to one’s career.

    • Each mentoring group consists of 1-2 mentors and 3-5 mentees, carefully matched using information gathered from Mentee and Mentor Applications. Our mentors are an experienced group of women working in either academia or industry.
    • Circles are expected to meet for 2 hours over 10 sessions. Meetings may take place once or twice a month, in person or online depending on public health guidelines and the discretion of the circle.
    • You will be notified by January 25th, 2024 on your application status.
    • Accepted mentees must pay the dues listed below and attend the Kick Off Event on February 15th, 2024.

    • A link for Kick Off registration and payment will be sent after acceptance. Payment must be received prior to Kick Off.

      Returning mentees – $35
      AWIS member – $50
      Non-members – $100

      Mentors do not pay for the program.

    • You will be required to submit proof of membership with your application to qualify for the member pricing.
    • Mentees will be selected according to suitability to the program, and preference will be given to those that apply early.
    • Once all applications have been received, the mentoring committee will do their best to match applicants into circles based on common goals, backgrounds, and other preferences. We regret that we are not always able to place all applicants.

Mentoring Circles Program 2024

Mentee and Mentor applications are now open!

Apply here to become a mentee (Mentee application extended to January 31st, 2024)

Apply here to become a mentor (Mentor application closes on January 31st, 2024)

Have more questions about being a mentor or mentee?

Check out the Mentoring Circles brochure or read the Nature Biotechnology article by MASS AWIS 2011 President: Masha Hareli, “A Mentoring Program for Women Scientists Meets a Pressing Need”.

Please contact the Mentoring Committee Chairs for more information: mentoring@massawis.org.

Feedback from past Participants:

“Personally the best thing I got out of this circle was the support and encouragement from everyone.  It felt really good to set some concrete goals for personal/career development, and even better to be able to check them off when completed!” -Elizabeth Heilig, mentee

“As a mentor, I enjoyed seeing how our mentoring circle recognized, set, and achieved goals throughout the year.  Even though I was a mentor, my mentees taught me a lot about myself and helped me figure out how to balance my hectic schedule.” -Lynnelle Pittet, mentor