FLEET mentoring programs

Applications are always open for participation in FLEET Mentoring Programs as a mentor and/or mentee, simply fill in the form below and you’ll be matched with an appropriate mentor/mentee. For further info please contact education@fleet.org.au.

FLEET ECR Mentoring

You have just started out your research career and wondering where your PhD might take you.  Do you need to know what other options are out there for your future? Should you change areas for a postdoc? Or are you best to look for options outside of academia?  While you will get a lot of help and guidance from your supervisor, they likely have a vested interest – they want their research done!

Or perhaps you’ve gotten your PhD, and are now on to your first postdoc position.  What do you need to do to make the next step?  To be competitive for a permanent job in research?  Should you take that 12-month contract? Do you need to move to another institution?  How many papers do you need to apply for an ARC DECRA, or maybe an Assistant Professor position?

There is a lot of benefit in being able to discuss your situation and experiences with someone who has been through it all recently.  We suggest you might like to ask someone at the next academic career state (eg postdoc or junior academic from another institution) to be your mentor to offer some independent advice.

FLEET Industry Mentoring

Perhaps academia isn’t for you – no real-world impact, and it all moves too slowly.  Or maybe you just don’t get paid enough!  It might be an opportune time to consider future options in the industry. What do you need to do to convince an employer that you have the skills they need in the industry?  What up-skilling or training can you do while continuing your research that will convince potential future employers that you can get things done for them?

FLEET has alumni from its research groups that have already transitioned into volunteering to act as mentors for its current personnel.  Get in touch and we can set you up with the right person.

FLEET Academic Mentoring

You’ve made the step up and now have a longer-term position.  How can you make sure you keep it?  How much time should you invest in your teaching?  Should you apply for the next grant by yourself?  Or join up with some senior academics where they will get all the credit?  Should you try to submit that latest result to Nature?  Should you duck that committee position, or will it help you get promoted?  Team up with a FLEET senior academic and have some thoughtful conversations about how to make your way through the minefield.

Perhaps you have established yourself.  You’ve got the h-index.  But have you got enough cash to keep your lab running?  How can you keep your career moving forward?  Should you chair that major committee?  Do you need some input on that interdisciplinary grant application?  Is it time for you to change your institution and leverage your success?  The FLEET education and training committee will endeavour to help you find a suitable leader from inside or outside FLEET who will help you carefully consider these tough questions.

Women in FLEET Mentoring

The data shows that Australia is nowhere near gender equity in science – women face additional challenges in pursuing a career in research.  In the biological sciences, the majority of undergraduates are women – but progress towards equality at more senior levels has been extremely slow. The Women in FLEET mentoring program aims to pair you with a mentor who has already faced these particular challenges and has personal insight into ways to overcome them. As women are underrepresented in FLEET, our female mentors for this program also come from the wider women in the STEM network.

Cross-CoE Mentoring

Want to expand your mentoring network outside your usual scientific community? Through the Cross-CoE mentoring program, you can access a range of expertise and experiences from mentors across 12 Centres of Excellence across HASS and STEM fields.