Graduate Student Mentors

Below is some important information about being a MUGSS mentor. We are open to any graduate student (MS, MA, PhD) in psychology, social work, counseling, or other related field. We generally only help undergraduate psychology majors (but hopefully we’ll change that in the future as we continue to grow!)

To get started as a mentor, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/kwF4dt9yeFrBKmdo9

Mentee load

  • Generally people take 1, 2, or 3 mentees at a time.
  • We never assign more than 3 mentees to a single mentor

Time commitment

  • Some mentees like to meet once and feel okay
  • Some mentees meet more frequently (no more than once a week)
  • Some mentees require multiple semesters, some require just one
  • When we match, we will do our best to get a sense of how often they’d like to meet and let you know
    • We will ask about your commitment ability as well

Things you’ll help with

  • Grad school how-to (you know this, you’ve gotten in)
  • Writing statements of purpose
  • Finding programs
  • Taking GREs & studying
  • Time-management
  • Organizational skills
  • Googling things you don’t know
  • Providing resources to your mentee (we have a google drive full of these!)
  • Navigating tough conversations
  • Setting realistic goals
  • Formatting CVs/Resumes

What you’ll gain

  • Mentoring experience
  • Sense of satisfaction
    • Especially when student gets into grad school
    • But also when you answer their questions
  • Be better at finding resources
    • Will have to adjust skills (like googling) to fit your mentee’s needs
  • Boundary setting
    • We like to keep the onus on the mentee
    • This will help you maintain boundaries
  • Mentoring style development
    • What you want/need/expect from a mentee
    • What you’ll provide vs what they need to do
  • Skills & practice in navigating difficult conversations
    • Low GPAs, low GRE scores, little experience
    • Gap year considerations
    • Other program considerations
  • Knowledge of different programs/jobs/opportunities
    • Helps you be a well-rounded mentor who can help multiple people
    • Good for general advising
  • Access to resources
    • How to mentor
    • Resources to share with mentees
  • Sense of confidence
    • Will realize you know more than your mentee
    • Gives you confidence to mentor effectively
    • Helps with imposter syndrome
  • Friends! Colleagues! Connections!
    • Other mentors here to support you!

Other opportunities

  • Lead/facilitate/plan workshops
    • We host 2-4 workshops / semester on a variety of topics
    • We are open to suggestions
    • We always ask for mentors to help facilitate these events
  • Co-directing
    • We will leave eventually
    • You could be the new co-director!
  • Executive board positions

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