What do we mean by “mentoring”?
The BMS Mentoring Program was developed to provide individual guidance to BMS students in  both their academic and personal development. Mentors will pass their personal experience to help students to develop on their own. The meetings are confidential. Discussions on personal issues are not only allowed, but encouraged. The mentoring program also functions as a way to detect possible difficulties early so that additional support can be offered and, if necessary, countermeasures can be taken.
Phase I students are assigned a mentor from the BMS faculty by the Admissions Committee. It is possible to change the Phase I mentor if a more suitable pairing can be found. The Phase I mentor guides the student for the entire duration of Phase I and after the Qualifying Exam until the start of Phase II.
The Phase I mentor:
- advises you on your study program,
- meets with you on a regular basis to evaluate and follow your progress,
- helps you traverse the Berlin mathematical landscape, and
- gives advice about research groups and scholarship possibilities.
 Each Phase II student has a scientific advisor who provides support in all aspects relating to the dissertation, including advice on choosing the right conferences and publishing articles. Phase II students will additionally have a separate mentor who can
- help broaden your professional network,
- suggest employment opportunities and funding possibilities,
- offer a second opinion with regard to your research or career plan, and
- provide support if you encounter problems with your advisor.
Both the advisor and the mentor can assist students in forming career plans and in establishing a professional network. The Phase II mentor guides the student for the entire duration of Phase II.
Phase II students can choose a mentor on their own from our Faculty list or can be suggested to you by our Mentoring, Gender and Diversity Officer. We recommend that your mentor is not a member of your research group but it may be helpful if they work in the same field.
New Phase II students who do not have a mentor yet will have Initial Mentors. The Initial Mentors are two members of the BMS Postdoctoral Faculty at each of the three univiersities. They form small mentoring groups with new Phase II students to help you through your first few months. These groups are also a great way to meet other new BMS Phase II students in your university. You can help each other settle your new life here in Berlin.
|
