Finishing the MA program implicates a step toward…? Toward what, exactly?

Is a PhD necessary for vocational success? What do I need to keep in mind? What if I don’t know yet if I want to get my PhD? How do I expand my network? Whom can I turn to for questions?

These and many more questions are part of the final year of any Master’s program.

In the winter term 2022/23, the Department for Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy will offer a mentoring program for all MA students in their 3^rd and 4^th semester.

PhD students from different working groups and areas will take on the role as mentors and support you in your professional and student development.

This includes:

• Support with finding a topic for your MA thesis
• Feedback talks
• Decision-making regarding the PhD-degree
• Finding a working group/application process
• Support regarding funding/structuring
• Contact to labs/industry
• And much more

For the duration of the winter term, you make individual appointments with your mentor in which you discuss your questions/ concerns and possible solutions. The mentors are not able to answer ALL your questions. No mentor can do that or is supposed to. The mentoring session can be in person, virtual, or sometimes even via e-Mail.

If you are interested in becoming a mentee, please send a mail to mentoring@bcp.fu-berlin.de with the following information included:

• Name
• Study Field
• Semester
• (preferred) Language
• Short description of your need (bullet points suffice): in which area do you need support? Does it concern your MA thesis or are you already in the process of your PhD application? Are you looking for a working group? Do you need help with your application?

With this data in mind, we can look for a fitting mentor and forward your request. The mentor will then contact you and make an initial appointment.

It may happen that our mentors do not have any capacity left to take on more mentees. You will then be placed on the waiting list.