Mentoring and Support Networks

Participating in mentoring schemes can have a transformative effect in terms of developing your career goals, providing you with new perspectives, and increasing your confidence and self-awareness.

The Medical Sciences Division and the University provide a range of mentoring and support network options:

• The OxWEST Mentoring scheme for women in STEM offers mentors from both academia and industry, and can be conducted via email contact, face-to-face meetings, telephone calls or video calls.
• The Professional Services Mentoring Scheme is for administrative or support staff up to grade 8 in the University. By providing access to a number of managers and experienced recruiters, participants can receive confidential, impartial advice about an internal job application, a job interview, or with rewriting their CV.
• The Oxford University Coaching Network is is made up of University staff who hold coaching qualifications or training, who offer their time on a voluntary basis within their working hours to coach colleagues working in other parts of the University.

Some external professional bodies and funders offer mentoring schemes to their members.

Many mentoring relationships are arranged informally, outside of formal schemes. Ask your colleagues and line manager for guidance if you need support in identifying a suitable mentor.