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Student Mentorship Program

Are you starting your first term at INRS? You will benefit from our student mentorship program for newly arrived students.

The Program | The mentors | How to be a mentor

What is the INRS Student Mentorship Program?

This program allows all graduate students entering their first semester at INRS (program of one year or more) are paired with a mentor. Wherever possible, all students enrolled in a short program, a DESS, a professional master’s degree or a master’s or doctoral research program benefit from mentoring.


Objectives

  • Facilitate their early experience at INRS
  • Enable newcomers to network with colleagues at INRS
  • Answer your questions and direct you to the right resources
  • Integrate them to INRS university life

FIRST CONTACT

Upon your arrival, you will be put in contact with a colleague who knows INRS well: this person will be responsible for mentoring you! You will meet him at the beginning of the quarter. To make things easier, send him your contact details and respond to his invitations.


Pairing

Pairing is based on the preferred language of communication; the background and previous experiences; and the program of study and the research team. The mentee can withdraw from mentoring, request a change of mentor, or decline an activity proposed by the mentor.

 
Terms of references and mentor roles

Normally, the term begins with fall semester and lasts for three semesters. It is renewable. New mentees are assigned to mentors for the winter semester. The main role of mentors is to help mentees socialize and get them involved, as well as to guide him/her to the right support person. To do this, they must:

  • Communicate with the mentee at the agreed-upon frequency
  • Cover the aspects of mentoring according to the training received
  • Respect the mentor’s code of ethics throughout the mentoring process
  • Remember that there are limits to what you offer as mentoring


On a day-to-day basis, mentors can refer to their centre mentorship supervisor.


Mentors supervisors per centre | Winter 2021


How to mentor students

Have you been studying at INRS for a few semesters? Do you want to get involved in your university? Do you think that newcomers need to be supported? Become a mentor for 2021-2022 academic year!

To be a mentor is:

  • Supporting new students for 2 or 3 semesters to help them adapt, take their place and create a network in their new environment.
  • Adding a rewarding and formative action to your own experiences
  • Above all, about helping, creating links and animating your living environment

A recognition award recognizes the commitment of all the mentors! To support you in this role, you will receive a short training and benefit from a network of people you can refer to.


Eligibility

To qualify as a mentor, you must:

  1. Not be in a situation of failing
  2. Have begun graduate studies at INRS since at least 1 year
  3. Continue your studies at INRS for at least two semesters in the next academic year


Required characteristics

Mentors should:

  • have an interest in welcoming new students
  • socialize easily
  • have the time to meet with 3 to 4 new mentees each semester a couple of times, remotely or in person, and answer their questions


How to submit your application

Before August 18, 2021 at 4 p.m., send the following items to sae@inrs.ca:

  1. A one-page letter explaining: a) your motivation to be a mentor and the skills that will enable you to play this role, b) how you are sufficiently responsible and organized to properly follow up with mentees.
  2. A list of languages that you are fluent in and can mentor in.
  3. If you’re in a research program with thesis, send an email to your director asking him/her to reply to confirm that he/she is aware of your application and supports it. Copy sae@inrs.ca on your email. Confirmation from your director can follow at a later date.

Need more information about student mentorship program? Write to Student Life Services.

sae@inrs.ca