The Women Mentoring Women program matches postdoctoral scholars with upper-class graduate women and upper-class graduate women with first-year graduate women for a one-to-one mentoring experience. The purpose is to provide support for women graduate students as they negotiate their academic, professional, and personal development. Each mentoring match meets over a one-year period—some meet monthly, others bi-weekly. Each month there are workshops, discussions or networking socials. Matches receive coffee stipends, books and other resource materials.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How I can get involved in WMW?
There are a few ways to participate in the program:

• First-year graduate students are matched with an upper-class graduate student mentor.
• Upper-class graduate students (2nd year and beyond) are matched as a mentee with a postdoctoral scholar OR as a mentor with a first-year student OR both!
• Networking Membership- This is a chance for women who want to meet fellow graduate students and postdocs for social and networking opportunities throughout the year, but cannot commit to a mentoring relationship.

How much time commitment is involved with the program?
While matches are encouraged to meet at least once a month in order to foster a strong mentoring relationship, the time commitment involved is entirely up to you. Attendance at socials/networking events and academic & professional development programs is optional.

I am a new postdoc to Caltech and would like to be involved in this program. However, I don't know much about Caltech to sufficiently mentor a grad student and help her navigate her way around Caltech. Can I still participate?
Absolutely! No prior Caltech experience is required for participation in this program. The most important component to mentoring is the connections made. You have enough background and experience to share with a graduate student about what it's like to be a woman in science and engineering. Your contributions are invaluable! Plus, connecting with an upper-class graduate woman will help you become more familiar with Caltech, so think of the match as a symbiotic relationship.

Have more questions?
We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the program. Please contact Portia Harris at pbharris@caltech.edu.

Applications for the 2009-2010 Women Mentoring Women Program are now online!

Click on one of the following links to access the appropriate application.

Application for graduate student mentor/mentee

Application for postdoc mentor

Application for networking membership only

Read what past participants have to say....
• "My relationships with both my mentor and my mentees are great. They are definitely people that I will stay in touch with after the program is over."

• "It is great -- to talk with people who have had similar experiences to you or to what you might want in the future is really helpful to mentees. As a mentor, I appreciated the opportunity to practice being a mentor, listening, and getting to share my experiences, positive and negative."

• "I really enjoyed being able to participate in this program."

• "My mentee knew that I would be confidential and nonjudgmental, so I think she felt comfortable to tell me about any worries or frustrations that sometimes first years have trouble talking to each other about."

• "My mentor had great advice and a positive attitude. She was honest about her experiences and offered insight."

Interested in more information on mentor relationships?
Check out these electronic resources!

Women Mentoring Women Co-sponsors Include....
The Women’s Center, Caltech Postdoc Association, Graduate Student Council, International Student Programs, Ombuds Office, Staff and Faculty Consultation Center, and the Caltech Counseling Center.

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