Mila Mentorship Program

Mila > Mila Mentorship Program

About the program

In March 2021, Mila will launch the second cohort of the mentorship program. Open to approximately twenty Mila researchers, this program will pair mentees to a volunteer mentor for a period of 9 months. The mentor’s role will be to support the mentees in achieving their personal and professional development objectives.

The program aims to provide Mila researchers with a working environment that encourages them to develop and realize their potential.

DURATION OF THE PROGRAM

The Mentorship Program will be held on a 9 months period, from March to November 2021.

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

  1. Complete the application form before February 26th, 2021.
  2. Receive notification of selection if your application is selected, you will be given the opportunity to identify your top 3 choices from the list of mentor.
  3. Receive an email presentation of your mentor and a guide to orient your discussions.
  4. Interact regularly with your mentor according to a schedule that you will determine together based on the guidance provided by Mila
  5. Contact the program coordinator with any questions and provide your comments and suggestions at the end of the program.

Becoming a mentor

  1. Complete the application form, indicating your professional experience and mentoring preferences. You have until February 26th, 2021 to apply.
  2. Receive confirmation of your registration as a mentor.
  3. Receive an email introduction to your mentee and a guide to orient your mentoring relationship.
  4. Interact regularly with your mentee according to a schedule that you will determine together based on Mila’s guidance.
  5. Contact the program coordinator with any questions and provide comments and suggestions at the end of the program.

The training

  • A written guide provided at the beginning of the mentoring relationship
  • Monthly reminders: tips and tricks

Mila Mentorship Program Calendar

Support from Mentorat Québec

Mila is a corporate member of Mentorat Québec, Quebec’s source for best practices in mentoring.