HiLASE Centre’s Post

✨ 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦, 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬! ✨ #Mentoring is more than just a programme – it’s a path to growth, connection, and inspiration. 🚀 This is exactly what the mentoring programme at the FZU - Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences demonstrates, connecting experienced senior colleagues with young talents. 💡 𝐌𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: Initiatives like this hold immense value, whether in academia, science, or the corporate world. Mentoring not only helps juniors find motivation and direction but also provides mentors with an incredible opportunity to share their experiences and learn from one another. 🌟 Personally, I believe that programmes like this can be transformative for both career and personal growth. That’s why I’m proud to see our #HiLASE community contributing to an environment where sharing and collaboration play a key role. 📌 Check out the stories of mentors and mentees in the post below and learn more about what this programme has to offer. ⬇⬇ #Mentoring #Science #TalentDevelopment #FZU #HiLASE #Inspiration

This mentor-mentee pair is a living example that mentoring is a true win-win experience. Julia Martyniewicz is a student of political science and a research assistant at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. She was paired with Francesco Trupia, PhD, a Postdoc Fellow at the Centre for Excellence “Interacting Minds, Environments and Societies” at the Nicolas Copernicus University in Toruń. Julia says that Polonium Mentoring is undoubtedly valuable in many ways. ‘For me, the most important thing was to learn about the mentor's career path and his guidance in making decisions about an academic career. In addition, we spent a lot of time talking about my undergraduate work, and I would like to thank my mentor Francesco very much for his interesting point of view.’ However, it is not only Julia who benefited from the programme. Being a mentor encourages you to reflect on the relevance of your advice and keeps our mentors on their toes! Francesco shares with us: “Although I am the mentor, I learned a lot about new trends and research perspectives by talking to my mentee, Julia. As a mentor, I can share my thoughts and pieces of advice with my mentee, and, at the same time, I can understand to what extent my advice is still relevant, and may fit the interests, expectations, and ideas of new generations of students and young professionals”. Check out other success stories on our website and the brand new tab: https://lnkd.in/dp9y26DS  If you would like to help someone become a better professional or if you’re seeking guidance yourself - please register your interest for the next iteration of the project! ⛓️💥https://lnkd.in/d-kDgWCr #PoloniumMentoring #mentoring #success_story #socialsciences #politicalsciences #mentor #mentee

On the 29th January, the Researcher Development team in University of Edinburgh Institute for Academic Development launched the Postdoc Mentoring Circles group mentoring programme, an event for both mentors and mentees.  Mentoring is an action in the The University of Edinburgh current Concordat Action Plan, and over the last year the team have been working to create a suite of mentoring resources and support for research staff at the University.  New webpages were launched in September 2024: https://lnkd.in/esUAgdrn  Mentoring Circles is group mentoring sessions in which a small group of postdocs are provided a mentor. The aim is to encourage and help the creation of mentoring partnerships in the postdoc community.  Allowing a postdoc to receive mentoring support alongside the opportunity to meet other postdocs with similar interests, challenges, concerns and who may be at the same stage of their career, therefore finding solutions to problems whilst building connections and networks.   The launch event provided more information around the objectives of the group mentoring approach, and timescales /expectations for the programme.  There was also time for discussions between mentors and mentees around what makes mentoring effective, and what the group wanted to get out of the group mentoring. The main aim of the launch event was to allow time for the matched groups to get together and meet for the first time.  To find out a bit more about each other, their experience with mentoring, what they wanted to get out of the mentoring circles programme and as a group decide how they would begin their group mentoring journey. The room was buzzing with the groups chatting and planning and we are looking forward to hearing how it goes with them at the end of the programme. #mentoring #groupmentoring #postdocmentoring #mentee #mentor #careerdevelopment #effectivementoring #traditionalmentoring #coachlikementoring #postdocs #UniversityOfEdinburgh

Today is International Mentoring Day! Swati Tyagi shares her experiences with being a mentee and mentor as a woman in engineering: "Mentorship has been a powerful force throughout my career, both as a receiver and a provider of guidance. One of the most impactful moments I recall happened early in my journey, during my graduate studies. I was struggling to publish my first research paper and felt overwhelmed by the complexity of academic writing. A mentor—a seasoned professor—stepped in. Not only did they walk me through the fundamentals of structuring a paper, but they also taught me how to embrace criticism as a tool for growth rather than a personal attack. This shifted my perspective entirely. What had felt like insurmountable hurdles quickly became stepping stones to build my confidence and refine my work. Years later, I found myself on the other side—mentoring junior colleagues and graduate students. When I recognized that spark of uncertainty in them, I remembered my own experiences. In guiding them through tough problems and celebrating their small wins, I realized how mentorship isn’t just a temporary relationship; it’s a long-lasting influence that propels both mentor and mentee to achieve more. The right guidance, coupled with words of encouragement, can open doors and shape young minds, inspiring them to set bold goals and persevere. I share this story to highlight the power of mentorship in unlocking potential and fuelling courage. If you have the chance to mentor someone, seize it—you might just set off a chain reaction of growth and possibility that extends far beyond a single conversation or project." Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Swati! #womeninengineering #InternationalMentoringDay #MentoringExperiences #WiEForumUSAEast

Thrilled to share my 2nd year as a Mentor in the program Researchers Beyond Academia by EURAXESS! As I'm passionate about sharing and help others succeed, like key people make with me. Sometimes a call from your mentor make the difference to think about things which you don't evaluate, because their experience let you know the impact of it, this is a big contribution example with a little thing for the mentor, but key, sometimes for the mentee. This program allowed me to connect with a mentee and provide guidance on their career path and don't lose the floor and real approach of the actual situation/ impact/ evolution of our near future. Investing your free time in mentorship is an investment in our future 🧪 📈 💚 By empowering others, we can foster a more innovative and successful world. I encourage everyone to consider getting involved in a mentoring program in their field. #Mentorship #Academia2Business #Chem2world Finally : Congratulations REBECA mentoring program and Abdellatif RASHED for sharing and be so active during this mentoring! This certificate isn't a paper, is a remembering of commitment to helping others !! Elisa Garcia Garcia, PhD Researchers Beyond Academia by EURAXESS , Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, FECYT

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬: Teachers and Mentors 🎓✨   As we navigate through our professional journeys, let's take a moment to recognize the profound impact that teachers and mentors have on our lives. 🌟   𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫: 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬: The Architects of Our Future 🏗️ → Ignite curiosity 🔥 → Foster critical thinking 💭 → Inspire us to reach for our dreams 🌈 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: Our Guiding Lights 💡 → Share invaluable insights 📚 → Provide constructive feedback 📝 → Help us navigate challenges with confidence 🚀 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦: 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🌟 Encourage us to pursue excellence and embrace lifelong learning. 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 🤝 Offer unwavering support during both triumphs and setbacks, reminding us we’re never alone. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🌐 Help us build networks that open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! 💌 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐮𝐭: Send a message or make a post to thank those who have made a difference in your life. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: Highlight how their guidance has shaped your path.   Let’s celebrate the incredible impact of education and mentorship together! 💙🙌   #Teachers #Mentors #Gratitude #Education #CareerGrowth

#FridayReflections Being an academic mentor to an early career researcher is both rewarding and difficult. Saying no is particularly challenging. It can feel like crushing someone’s ambition. Yet, at times, it’s necessary to shape a career for the better or help avoid potential pitfalls. The weight of this responsibility is immense because it influences not just the present but an unknown future. Effective mentorship comes from a place of care. It draws on personal experiences and others who navigate similar journeys. However, academics are rarely trained for this role. We mentor because we’re good researchers and have "seen some stuff," but that doesn’t always prepare us to guide others through their unique challenges. Being a mentor isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being present, offering perspective, and doing our best to help others thrive, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

One of our primary roles is to identify students and professionals who need research guidance and link them to a suitable mentor. Who is a mentor? A mentor is an experienced and knowledgeable individual who provides guidance, support, and advice to someone less experienced or knowledgeable. Mentors typically share their expertise, skills, and insights to help the mentee (the person being mentored) develop professionally or personally. The mentor-mentee relationship is often characterized by a sense of trust, open communication, and a commitment to the mentee's growth and success. Mentors can be found in various settings, such as the workplace, academia, sports, and other fields. They play a crucial role in helping individuals navigate challenges, set goals, and acquire the skills and knowledge needed to achieve success. The mentorship dynamic can be formal or informal, depending on the context, and it often involves a long-term relationship built on mutual respect and understanding. Are you in need of a MENTOR? Discover more on: https://lnkd.in/dnDBwu62 To get REGISTERED for our Mentorship program: https://lnkd.in/gDk4Fe8h #researchmentors #bmyhealth #research #medicalsciemce #doctors

Who should be my mentor? Embarking on your doctoral journey is an exhilarating yet challenging endeavor, and having the right mentor by your side can make all the difference. I sought multiple mentors to guide my doctoral journey, yet I found some core characteristics that were valuable in deciding who to ask to mentor me. 🔍 Here are some key traits to consider: 1️⃣ Expertise: Look for someone who is not only knowledgeable in your field but also has a deep understanding of the research process. Their expertise will guide you through the complexities of academia. 2️⃣ Accessibility: A great mentor is approachable and available when you need guidance or support. They should be willing to make time for regular meetings and be responsive to your questions and concerns. 3️⃣ Empathy: Empathetic mentors understand the challenges you face as a doctoral student and provide encouragement and understanding along the way. They offer both professional and personal support. 4️⃣ Networking Skills: An effective mentor can help you expand your professional network, connect you with relevant resources, and open doors to opportunities within your field. 5️⃣ Constructive Feedback: Seek a mentor who provides honest and constructive feedback on your work. They should challenge you to think critically and help you grow as a researcher. 6️⃣ Commitment to Your Success: Your mentor should be genuinely invested in your academic and professional development. They celebrate your achievements and are committed to helping you reach your goals. Remember, finding the right mentor is a crucial step in your doctoral journey. Take the time to seek out someone who possesses these qualities and who you feel comfortable working with. A supportive mentorship can truly elevate your academic experience and set you up for success in your future endeavors. #DoctoralJourney #Mentorship #AcademicSuccess #PhDLife

Grateful for the Power of Mentorship 🙏🏻 - Scholarship awarded! Today, I received a message that filled my heart with gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose. It’s moments like these that remind me why I am so passionate about mentoring. One of my former students, Agboola Oladotun, ANIVS, RSV shared how our journey together helped him achieve a major milestone, securing a funded double-degree Erasmus MSc. program in Construction and Real Estate Management at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Finland, and later in Berlin. He graciously expressed his appreciation for the support I provided, particularly in refining his motivation letter back in 2022. Mentoring isn’t about answering every question or providing every solution. It’s about guiding someone through their own potential, helping them carve their path. Sometimes it’s offering a word of encouragement; other times, it’s the constructive feedback that helps shape a vision. To all the mentors and mentees out there, this is a reminder of the beautiful impact we can have on each other. Mentorship is a circle that never ends (it evolves), but its essence is continuous. I am humbled and inspired by this message and even more committed to continuing this journey of lifting others as I have been lifted. Thank you, Agboola for allowing me to be part of your journey. Your success is reflects your determination, and I am honored to have been a small part of it. Your growth is the greatest reward. Let’s keep passing it forward, for the cycle of learning and teaching should never stop. To all current and future mentees, my door will always remain open. #Mentorship #Gratitude #StudentSuccess #PayItForward #LifelongLearning