The GradDiversity Buddies Program is designed to help first-year PhD students from diverse backgrounds navigate graduate education at MIT. At its core, this program is a collaborative network that pairs senior and incoming graduate students to build reciprocal communities of support that nurtures academic excellence, personal growth, and professional advancement.
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Who can become a GradDiversity Buddy?
Incoming MIT Graduate students can request to be matched with an advanced graduate student. 2nd year and beyond PhD students can sign up to mentor an incoming student.
Program Eligibility Requirements:
- Mentors must be a current MIT doctoral student in good academic standing.
- Mentors must commit to the mentoring program for at least one semester.
- Mentees must be an incoming, first-year doctoral student.
What are the Mentee benefits?
- Boosted Confidence: Mentees can enhance their self-assurance through the guidance and feedback provided by mentors.
- Skill Enhancement: Mentees can acquire new skills and knowledge from mentors who have extensive experience and expertise in a specific field or industry.
- Career Growth: Mentors can offer valuable advice and networking opportunities to help mentees progress in their careers.
- Broadened Perspectives: Mentees can gain a wider understanding of their field or industry by being exposed to their mentor’s experiences and viewpoints.
How can Mentors support incoming students?
- Academic support: Mentors may help students with study skills, time management, and understanding course material.
- Career guidance: Mentors may provide information about career paths, internships, and job opportunities.
- Social support: Mentors may help students feel connected to the Institute community and provide advice on navigating social situations and building relationships.
- Personal support: Mentors may offer guidance on personal issues, such as managing stress, dealing with family or relationship problems, and finding resources for mental health support.
GradDiversity Buddies Expectations
- Attend Peer Mentor/Mentee Training hosted by the OGE, GradDiversity.
- Establish a mentoring expectations plan with your mentor/mentee buddy.
- Meet individually with your mentor/mentee at least 3 times throughout the semester. OGE will cover expenses for the following required activities.
- Fall Coffee Chat (October/November)
- Winter lunch meet up (December/January)
- Spring Outing (February/March)
- Spring Luncheon (April)
- In addition, maintain regular communication with your mentor/mentee.
- Complete a pre-program, midpoint and final check-in.
