Join the SAP Mentoring Program!
Are you an early career researcher (doctoral candidate, post-doc, or assistant professor) in the field of SAP? Do you need career advice from experienced SAP scholars? Or would you like to dive deep into a specific SAP topic?
The new SAP Mentoring Program might be to right place for you!
What is the SAP Mentoring Program?
The SAP Mentoring Program is a joint initiative from the AOM and SMS SAP communities. The mentoring program offers a selected number of early career researchers (ECR) the opportunity to connect with a well-known senior scholar on an in-depth topic of choice. The program provides an official frame to enable a conversation beyond a single interactive session at a major conference.
Topics: The mentoring topics can range from conversations on practice theory, strategy, philosophical, or methodological puzzles to career guidance.
Matching Process: ECRs are paired with senior scholars based on research interests, career goals, and personal compatibility.
Duration: The mentoring program involves up to three online or in-person meetings between an ECR and a senior scholar to allow for meaningful engagement and development. The first meeting can occur (but does not have to) at the AOM 2025 or SMS 2025.
Who is eligible to apply for the SAP mentoring?
Every member of the SAP AOM and SMS community (or scholars who wish to become members) is eligible to apply.
How can you apply for the SAP mentoring?
Please fill out this online form: https://forms.office.com/e/XFqmdR4YCW
The deadline for application is the 30th of April, 2025.
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What is the role of a mentor?
Mentors provide guidance based on their individual experience and knowledge. They help their mentees navigate academic and professional landscapes, offering advice on career choices, research directions, and professional development. A key role of the mentor is providing constructive feedback. This feedback can be on current or future research work or upcoming career choices, helping mentees reflect on opportunities and challenges.
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What is the role of the mentee?
The role of the mentee requires a high degree of proactiveness. Mentees must be eager to learn and grow, actively seeking knowledge and experience from their mentor. Effective communication is crucial as a mentee. Mentees should clearly express and write down their goals related to the mentoring in general and before each meeting with their mentor, ensuring both parties understand expectations and progress. Taking initiative in a mentoring relationship is important. Mentees should proactively initiate the meetings, summarize each mentoring meeting and the progress, and initiate a follow-up. It's important for mentees to show respect and professionalism towards their mentor and the commitment they are making. This includes punctuality, meeting deadlines, and showing appreciation for the mentor’s time and advice.
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What the mentoring program is NOT
The mentoring program should help you to engage in an in-depth conversation with a senior researcher. It is important to clarify what it does not entail to set appropriate expectations. Here are some key points outlining what a mentorship is not:
- Not a shortcut for recruiting a co-author
- Not an opportunity to initiate a research stay at the mentors’ institution
- Not a job placement service
- Not a therapeutic relationship
- Not a source of unconditional support
- Not a source of funding or grant support
While a mentorship may potentially lead to some initiatives, it is certainly not designed to achieve them.