Make the Most of Summer - Connect with Fellow Postdocs!
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs’ (OPA) Peer Mentoring Program (PMP) offers an informal, supportive way for newer postdocs to learn from those who are further along in their CU Boulder postdoc journey.
Summer in Colorado is a great time to connect with fellow postdocs, enjoy the outdoors, and build community beyond the lab.
PMP is a volunteer-based program that pairs newer postdocs (mentees) with more experienced postdocs (mentors) to foster personal and professional growth.
- Mentees benefit from one-on-one guidance, insider knowledge about postdoc life, and valuable networking opportunities.
- Mentors gain leadership experience, build confidence, and strengthen communication skills—all of which enhance future job applications and career development.
Pairings can happen year-round, but summer is an especially ideal time to get involved. If you're interested, please complete the appropriate application linked below. OPA will make the initial connection and suggest optional activities to help get your mentoring relationship off to a great start.
Requirements
Mentees:
- Must be in a postdoc position at CU Boulder for less than one year
- Commit to PMP for at least one year
- Connect (in-person or virtually) at least once every month with mentor
- Agree to serve as a mentor to a mentee after one year of being at CU Boulder
- Determine communication method (e.g., in-person meeting, Zoom) and frequency during the first meeting
- Commit to ensuring conversations are confidential and not shared with others, unless intervention is needed outside of the mentor-mentee relationship (e.g. a mentor is unsure how to help with a particular matter and needs to consult with OPA)
Sign up to be a Mentee
Mentors:
- Must be in a postdoc position at CU Boulder for at least one year
- Commit to PMP for at least one year
- Connect (in-person or virtually) at least once every month with mentee
- Determine method of interaction and frequency during the first meeting
- Review training materials in advance of meeting with mentee and reference as needed
- Commit to understanding mentors may not have all the answers, and if anything is in doubt to contact OPA at opa@colorado.edu
- Must have the ability to develop and promote intercultural understanding and engagement
- Commit to ensuring conversations are confidential and not shared with others, unless intervention is needed outside of the mentor-mentee relationship (e.g. a mentor is unsure how to help with a particular matter and needs to consult with OPA)