Mentoring Circles

AWIS-Chicago Mentoring Circles

This year’s Mentoring Circle Kick-Off will be on Monday, June 17th @ 6 PM!

Summer Mentoring Circles are back! You do not need to be an AWIS member to join and the program is FREE. Mentoring Circles follow a small group format, and each circle is composed of 1-2 Mentor(s) and 4-6 carefully matched Mentees. The nature of the Circles allows for intimate peer-to-peer and mentor-mentee relationships to form throughout the summer (June-September 2024). Our Circles are open to all within any STEM and STEM-adjacent sectors. The Circles, while having a designated Mentor, tend to operate with a more flat organizational structure with dynamic ideas and advice shared by all participants. Applications are closed. Please check back next Spring for info about our 2025 program.

What are Mentoring Circles?

Mentoring Circles are small groups that provide a variety of opportunities for peer-to-peer and mentor-mentee mentoring relationships. Circles will be formed based on mutual career or topical interests, and there will be one to two designated “mentors” for each Circle. From the kick-off until ~Sept 2024 (wrap-up meeting date to be decided), you and your Mentoring Circle will meet either virtually or in-person and discuss mutual topics of interest as decided upon by your group. 
 
2024 Summer Mentoring Circle Kick-Off Event
 
This year’s Summer Mentoring Circle Kick-Off Event will be Monday, June 17th @ 6 PM. The event will be on Zoom. If you sign up for mentoring programs, you will receive an e-mail with your mentoring circle group. If you are unable to attend the kick-off event, please communicate with your circle over e-mail to help plan and attend future meetings. Please feel free to contact us at awiscommunications@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
 
Kick-Off Agenda (1 hour):
Introduction (10 min)
Guidelines (10 min)
Mentor Introductions (5 min)
Breakout Circle w/ your Mentoring Group (30 min)
Wrap-Up (5 min)
 

Goal of the Circle

The primary objective of the circle is to create a network that 1. Supports the personal and professional development of early career women in science and 2. Provides experienced women in science the opportunity to contribute to and guide the growth of Chicagoland area women in science.

Program Structure

  • The AWIS-Chicago Mentoring Circle consists of a group of 4-6 junior-level scientists referred to as the mentees along with an experienced women scientist, the mentor, who leads and motivates the group discussions
  • Each circle will meet regularly over the Summer at times decided by each circle, starting with the kick-off event in June
  • Mentees will be matched with the mentors based on their interests and career goals. The number of mentee spots available will depend on the number of mentors in the program
  • Each circle lists what they want to accomplish by the end of the program while also charting out goals for every meeting

Benefits

  • Receive support and encouragement for your professional development
  • Interact with experienced professionals and like-minded peers
  • Create and grow a network of contacts
  • Lifelong connections that are made with your mentoring circles are priceless

General Bylaws

  • Within your mentoring circle, you must voluntarily agree to offer suggestions and guidance to any participating member of the circle
  • All topics, items, or issues discussed must stay confidential within the circle