The great amount of mentees that signed up showed how well-received and relevant the program was for researchers. To make it easier for people to join, two meetings were held: one at location AMC and one at location VUmc. Both meetings started with a small introduction of the mentoring program by Elena Rampanelli, one of the members from the organizing committee of the program. Moreover, Elena expressed our great appreciation for the many mentors that were willing to guide one or even multiple mentees.
The meetings continued with Elena interviewing Connie Jimenez (location AMC) and Jan van den Bossche (location VUmc) on their experiences within previous mentoring programs. They have both enjoyed the guidance of a mentor as well as served as a mentor to a junior researcher, making them relative experts on the matter.
Connie highlighted the value of her mentor while navigating a crucial point in her career, namely transitioning to full professor. Jan was one of the instigators of the AII-CCA mentor program, which preceded the research institute-wide program, and is thoroughly convinced of the added value of mentorship. As a mentor he experienced how difficult and at the same time important it can be to listen to your mentee, without directly jumping to giving advice, which is one of the main tasks as a mentor.
After a small introduction on the goals of a mentorship and what motivation researchers can have to join this program, Eva Zoet-Wissink, Amsterdam UMC internal coach, broke the ice with an interactive activity. Mentees and mentors had to form mixed groups and reflect on their expectations of the mentorship together.
I have had a great mentor help me in my career, so I would like to give back by joining this program as a mentor
Eva then explained that the program is adaptable to the unique needs and availability of a mentoring match, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, mutual respect, and confidentiality within the mentor-mentee relationship.
After this great session, the meetings concluded with drinks and snacks and the opportunity for mentees and mentors to interact and network. By both informing and enthusing the participants, these two kick-off meetings formed the perfect start of the Amsterdam UMC Mentoring Program!
Final call for mentors
Despite the successful start of the mentoring program, 12 mentees still remain unmatched. Are you or do you know of someone who would like to apply to be a mentor? Let us now by sending an email to mentoringprogram@amsterdamumc.nl.
