1. 19 november 2008, Rennes1 Introducing Mentoring The European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers Nora de Vries on behalf of EURODOC

2. 19 november 2008, Rennes Contents What is mentoring? Why Mentoring? Problems Why mentoring? A solution? In an ideal world Best Practice Discussion

3. 19 november 2008, Rennes3 What is Mentoring? In EURODOC s opinion? 1)Peer mentoring or Intervision 2)Informal guidance and career advice by a senior person: Industry mentor Academia mentor 3)Not being the scientific supervisor of a researchers project

4. 19 november 2008, Rennes Why Mentoring? Problems 1) Wish: majority of PhD’s wants to work within academia Reality: Only ± 20% of the phd’s can pursue a career in research Examples: - Sweden and the Netherlands (professional status of doctoral candidates recognised)

5. 19 november 2008, Rennes5 Why Mentoring? Problems 2) Universities do not pay enough attention to Career development, meaning: -Raising awareness of career opportunities -Development of transferable skills -Networking and job interview courses

6. 19 november 2008, Rennes Why Mentoring? Problems 3) Companies and society do not value the doctoral degree or do not regard it as work experience Doctorates often get the same function and the same salary as recently graduated students The skills of a PhD candidate are not reconised and used in the knowledge economy

7. 19 november 2008, Rennes Why Mentoring A Solution? Raising awarness about careeropportuinities Raising awarness about strengths and weaknesses Advice on development of transferable skills Explain what is expected in a certain career Increase the bonds between academia and companies Have a positive influence on the valuation of the doctorate degree

8. 19 november 2008, Rennes In an ideal world…. At least intervision When a PhD starts with the project always a mentor is appointed Preferably one mentor is appointed from inside academia and one from a company / government

9. 19 november 2008, Rennes Good Practices Karolinska Instituut Sweden: Every PhD is appointed a mentor at the start of the project. Austria: researchers wanting to pursue a career in the USA are appointed a mentor there. Marie Curie: Tutor outside research group who you meet twice a year and breakfast of insertion.

10. 19 november 2008, Rennes Discussion ► For more information: www.eurodoc.net ► Contact the board: board@eurodoc.net