Finding your path

Academic careers can be tricky to navigate as the path, although laid out in theory, can take many twists and turns. Jobs, opportunities and progression may be less guaranteed than in the world of clinical histopathology. I was keen to learn from the experiences of senior academics and get their insights into navigating a successful academic career. Therefore, in 2018, I joined the Academy of Medical Sciences’ mentoring scheme.

Initially, I wanted a mentor who was an experienced academic to advise and help me to plan my career. However, I soon learned that, although I can listen to their experiences, circumstances are always very personal, and only I can make my career decisions for me. Having an experienced mentor is invaluable and I continue to learn from them.

“I have benefited enormously from being a mentee … having a friendly face encouraging you through your career is a great source of support when everything can feel overwhelming.”

Supporting each other through peer mentorship

In West Yorkshire, we have a peer mentorship scheme that brings together academic trainees. I am part of a group with a trainee academic oncologist and an academic GP and we discuss our career plans and any issues we are experiencing with our research careers. Discussing these challenges with people at similar stages of their career but from different medical specialties provides a new perspective for me that is invaluable. Hearing their experiences of supervising medical students has been very useful and I've picked up lots of great tips and tricks to help make me a better supervisor and teacher for students.

Progressing from mentee to mentor

I have benefited enormously from being a mentee. It has allowed me to learn from other's experiences and to think differently and more objectively about challenges in my career. Just as importantly, having a friendly face encouraging you through your career is a great source of support when everything can feel overwhelming.

I wanted to help keen undergraduates who want to become histopathologists, providing them with support when times get difficult and help them navigate their time at medical school. It doesn't feel that long ago that I was in that position! To develop my mentoring skills, I joined the Pathological Society’s undergraduate network mentoring scheme. I attended training as part of the scheme and use my knowledge and experiences to get the most out of mentoring. I want the meetings to be as fruitful and beneficial as possible for everyone involved.

“In West Yorkshire, we have a peer mentorship scheme that brings together academic trainees. Discussing … challenges with people at similar stages of their career but from different medical specialties provides a new perspective for me that is invaluable.”

Getting the right set up

The mentee–mentor relationship can work in different ways – you might prefer to meet in person over coffee or virtually. You might meet every couple of months or twice a year. It is about finding what works for you both. I personally prefer to meet my mentor virtually as they work in a different city to me and it makes the whole experience much smoother. I aim to meet at least twice a year with all the groups I am involved in, but this can vary, and there is no ideal or prescribed number of meetings.

The benefits of mentoring schemes

What you get out of the schemes varies for each person. As a mentee I gained new skills and experiences and greater insights into what is needed to navigate an academic career. I also find it very rewarding to help undergraduates develop their interests in histopathology and plan their own academic careers even at an early stage.

“What you get out of the schemes varies for each person. I … find it very rewarding to help undergraduates develop their interests in histopathology and plan their own academic careers even at an early stage.”

How to get involved 

There are various national medical mentoring schemes. The RCPath website provides more details on what mentorship schemes can offer and you can also find links to the different schemes.

For those who are post-PhD and want an academic mentor who is not necessarily a pathologist, you can explore the Academy of Medical Sciences’ mentoring scheme for details on how to get involved.

For those wanting mentorship in academic pathology, take a look at the Pathological Society's mentoring scheme, which is open to all trainees, including those outside of a formal academic training post.

Finally, for those who want to pay it forward, please consider becoming a mentor for undergraduates. We are particularly keen for any trainees with academic experience so we can continue to grow and nurture the future of academic pathology. Contact [email protected] to show your interest.