Mila Mentorship Program

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

In February 2023, Mila will launch the third cohort of its mentorship program. The program will pair approximately 20 Mila researchers (the “mentees”) to the same number of volunteer mentors for a period of 9 months. The goal is to provide Mila researchers with a working environment that encourages them to develop and realize their potential.

Mentees

Mentees are responsible for organizing meetings with their mentor, asking questions/brainstorming goals, and following up on actions agreed with their mentor.

Mentors

Mentors are responsible for drawing on their experience, judgment, and good will to support their mentee’s objectives for personal and professional development.

Former Mila mentees thanking their mentors

DURATION AND TIME COMMITMENT

The mentorship program will run for 9 months, from February to November 2023. Mentors and mentees are expected to participate in four 1-hour training/check-in sessions and to meet regularly.

See the program calendar here

Traditional mentoring

Mentor.e-mentee dyads, with 1 to 2 mentees per mentor

Group mentoring

1 mentor for a small group of mentees

Program candidates

Mentees

15 to 20 Mila researchers
The program is open to all researchers, who will be randomly selected from the applications received. A portion of slots has been reserved for researchers who self-identify as members of a group that is under-represented in the AI community.

Mentors

A mix of professionals, Mila alumni, senior researchers, and employees associated with Mila who are ready to commit time to their mentees

Selection criteria

Mentees

A Mila researcher
A portion of slots is reserved for researchers who identify as members of an under-represented group in the AI community. The other slots will be randomly allocated.
Commitment to participate in regular meetings for nine months (estimate: approx 1-2 hours/month, including follow-up between sessions).
Commitment to take part in the evaluation of the program: two mandatory surveys requiring 10 minutes each

To allow as many researchers as possible to benefit from this program, we will prefer researchers who were not in the first cohort of the program.

Mentors

A professional or a senior researcher (a researcher at the end of his or her doctoral or post-doctoral
studies) who works at Mila or in an AI/data science company in Montréal,
Compatibility between the mentor’s professional skills and the professional and personal development goals desired by the mentee at the time of application
Gender identity, experience, etc. that allows Mila to match them to a mentee
Commitment to participate in regular meetings for 9 months (estimate: approx 1 hour/month)
Commitment to take part in the evaluation of the program
- Two mandatory surveys requiring 10 minutes each

How to participate

Becoming a mentee

Complete the application form before December 31st, 2022.
Week of January 23: Receive notification of selection.
Week of February 6: Participate in the 1st training session with the entire cohort of mentees and mentors : best practices in mentorship. At the end of the meeting, you will be able to identify your first 3 choices from the list of mentors, within 48 hours
Week of February 13: Receive an email presentation of your mentor and a guide to orient your discussions.
February-November 2023: Interact regularly with your mentor according to a schedule that you will determine together based on the guidance provided by Mila
Contact Anaëlle Zoubritzky (program coordinator) with any questions and provide your comments and suggestions at the end of the program.

Becoming a mentor

Complete the application form, indicating your professional experience and mentoring preferences. You have until December 31st, 2022 to apply.
Week of January 23: Receive confirmation of your registration as a mentor.
Week of february 6: Participate in a the first training session with the entire cohort of mentees and mentors : best practices in mentorship
Week of February 13: Receive an email introduction to your mentee and a guide to orient your mentoring relationship.
February-November 2023: Interact regularly with your mentee according to a schedule that you will determine together based on Mila’s guidance.
Throughout: Contact Anaelle Zoubritzky with any questions and provide comments and suggestions at the end of the program.

TOOLS AND TRAININGS

All mentors and mentees will be provided with the following:

One in-person training session, followed by an informal time meeting other mentors and mentees in person
Four online training/check-in sessions
A written guide on best practices in mentorship
Monthly reminders: tips and tricks

Mila Mentorship Program Calendar

FOR QUESTIONS OR TO RECOMMEND A MENTOR, please contact Anaëlle Zoubritzky (Talent and Culture advisor)