ATC Mentoring Program

Each year, the AST Trainee and Young Faculty Community of Practice organizes a one-on-one mentoring program during the American Transplant Congress to connect trainees, fellows, etc. with senior faculty for a face-to-face meeting. The program provides option for mentees and mentors to request a long-term pairing. While we've always welcomed and encouraged every pairing to stay in touch after their meeting at ATC, the long-term program will formalize and foster the mentorship over the next few years. 

There are no travel funds, scholarships, certificates, etc. associated with this program.

About the One-time Mentor Pairing Program

One-time Meeting Mentee expectations:

• Reach out to the assigned mentor to schedule the meeting during the ATC
• Answer the post-ATC feedback survey sent by the TYF COP
• If you "hit it off" and you and the mentor agree to stay in touch, that's great, but it is not required and you would not be part of the formal long-term program described below

One-time Meeting Mentor expectations:

• Respond to the mentee's request for a meeting
• Review their abstract (if any), their goals, and provide feedback and guidance
• Answer the post-ATC feedback survey sent by the TYF COP
• You are not required to maintain contact past ATC unless you and the mentee mutually agree to do so

About the Long-term Mentor Pairing Program

Long-term Mentee expectations:
Everything listed above, plus...

• Formally initiate the long-term relationship: the application simply attempts to pair people who are interested in the potential for a long-term mentorship, but the mentee must take initiative to approach the mentor after the initial meeting
• Email/call mentor with questions or ask for advice on career path and academic endeavors
• Be willing to receive constructive criticism on your research and career path
• Be proactive and willing to communicate (by email or phone) a minimum of once per quarter (preferably monthly if possible), with a yearly face-to-face meeting at ATC or another meeting
• Share responsibility for maintaining contact
• Be willing to commit to 5+ years, assuming the mentor is a suitable match
• Respond to TYF COP inquiries and provide updates on the experience
• Contact your mentor to possibly critique manuscripts prior to submission for publication, and add them as a contributing author
• Conversely, be ready and willing to participate in writing a manuscript if you are approached by your mentor

Long-term Mentor expectations:
Everything listed above, plus...

• Communicate with mentee by email/phone to answer questions or offer advice on career path and academic endeavors
• Be willing to give constructive criticism on the mentee’s research and career path
• Communicate (by email or phone) a minimum of once per quarter (preferably monthly if possible), with a yearly face-to-face meeting at ATC or another meeting
• Share responsibility for maintaining contact
• Be willing to commit to 5+ years, assuming the mentee is a suitable match
• Respond to TYF COP inquiries and provide updates on the experience
• Critique manuscripts prior to submission for publication, and potentially be a contributing author if requested
• If suitable, you may invite the mentee to assist in writing a review paper, or connect/introduce the mentee to appropriate experts in the field of the mentee’s interest

Trainee and Young Faculty COP expectations for both programs:

• Match up mentees and mentors based on like interests/goals
• Introduce mentees and mentors by email prior to ATC
• Send a post-ATC feedback survey to all mentors and mentees
• Reach out to long-term mentees twice a year to evaluate the mentorship
• Reach out to long-term mentors once a year to evaluate the mentorship
• Conduct evaluation/feedback surveys periodically to evaluate the program
• Reassign long-term pairs if at any time the mentorship becomes unproductive for one or both parties