A major benefit of membership in the Association of Science Communicators comes from networking, professional development, and mentorship opportunities.
We recently completed our inaugural cohort of the ASC Mentorship Program. Be sure to check out the program and talk to participants at Science Talk 2025 both in Raleigh and virtually.
We will be announcing a call for application for our 2025/26 cohort this summer so stay tuned!
Rationale:
The field of science communication grows and changes rapidly. Many early-career professionals from a variety of backgrounds (e.g., bench or field science, journalism, art, social science) are interested in exploring science communication careers. While there are some training programs available, there is limited personal mentoring for junior science communicators. To fill this gap, we are building a mentoring program for early-career science communicators.
Mentors provide critical career guidance, feedback, and access to professional networks, helping increase mentee confidence and success. In turn, serving as a mentor can help veteran science communicators reflect on their career journeys and reinvigorate them as they help the next generation succeed.
Program:
This is a 6-month program that matches mentor/mentee pairs. We will solicit applications for mentors and mentees, then match the pairs based on interests & experience (for example, a podcaster matched with a mentee interested in podcasting).
Mentor/mentee pairs will meet for at least one hour/month (phone/video), with additional communication as agreed on by each pair. ASC will provide topic suggestions for monthly meetings while allowing freedom for each pair to direct the conversation to meet their needs. Topics may include discussing the mentee’s goals, reviewing the mentee’s resume or LinkedIn profile, or offering feedback on a story pitch or other pieces. We expect that most pairs to spend 2-3 hours per month on this relationship.
We will also hold two virtual meetings with the entire cohort to allow for greater networking and build a community of practice. These meetings will include a brief presentation by a mentor and/or ASC leader, followed by small-group discussion and networking.
Mentor/mentee pairs will have the opportunity to present posters about the experience and all cohort participants will be invited to a networking lunch specific for mentoring program participants. We also plan to host a panel with mentor and mentee representatives, likely using a virtual format to maximize participation. In addition, at the beginning of the cohort term mentees will each interview their mentor and write a post for the ASC blog showcasing their mentor’s career path and advice. At the end of the cohort term, mentors will interview their mentees and write a post to highlight the mentee’s growth.
We look forward to many years of ASC mentorship growth. Let’s build this professional community together.
