Positive progress for mentoring participants

The mentee: Dr Trong Toan Tran

Dr Trong Toan Tran is a Chancellor Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Mathematical and Physical Science, Faculty of Science. He’s a physicist with a background in Material Science and Chemical Engineering.

Six months into the pilot, what do you think of it?

Joining the program was a very good decision for me as it has proved an excellent platform for strengthening my research, communications, teaching and grant writing skills. I receive a lot of support from my mentor JB, who is a previous CPDRF and an outstanding researcher who I have a great respect for.

In what ways does JB support you?

He listens to the issues that I have in my work and gives me suggestions, advice and encouragement as I encounter challenges and uncertainties on my academic journey. Most recently he has helped me with advice on writing grant applications and supervising students more effectively.

How does your mentoring relationship work?

We don't have a fixed schedule as we’re both busy with research, teaching and other commitments but roughly speaking we meet up once or twice a month to have lunch together and discuss a topic. This can range from research to team management, student supervision, teaching or grant applications. JB gives me suggestions based on his own experience as a CPDRF and as a CPDRF at the very early stage of my career, I find it extremely useful for my situation.

What are the benefits of having a mentor?

Thanks to JB’s advice I am able to avoid the common mistakes often committed by early career researchers, especially in the current situation where uncertainties in academia have become like a norm. In such a situation, a seemingly mild mistake could be very costly, e.g. focusing only on research rather than other aspects such as teaching, grants application and outreach activities.

 I also feel that having a mentor helps when you need someone to listen to your problems and help you to gain your balance at work - like a friend but more effective. I feel much more prepared for my academic journey than I was before JB shared his experience.

Have you considered whether one day you might become a mentee?

I have seen how having a mentor like JB can significantly help with my career progression. I will be glad to be involved in becoming a mentor to help other junior early career researchers, as well as learn from their experience.

The mentor: Dr Jean-Baptiste

Dr Jean-Baptiste (JB) is a marine microbial ecologist and Chancellor Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the UTS Climate Change Cluster. He works on the Ocean Microbes Healthy Oceans research program, studying the ocean’s smallest inhabitants 

Why did you get involved in this pilot?

A few years after starting at UTS I was part of a mentoring program with very senior mentors. I received some very valuable guidance, but I felt there was a clear disconnect between the academic landscape they experienced as early-career researcher 30 years ago and what we are facing today. With this new scheme, where the gap between the mentor and mentee is tighter, I felt I could bring my fresh knowledge to the table and that it could be beneficial.

How does your mentoring relationship work?

We meet regularly depending on Trong’s needs. For example, recently he went through a funding application, so we met often during that process, and our catch ups are always targeted to what he needs and the specific questions he has. We always meet face-to-face and on campus.

The support you provide is clearly benefiting Trong, do you benefit from it too?

Absolutely. And as a researcher it’s important to show that you’re proactive in helping people in your community, not just those you supervise. For example, demonstrating leadership skills is a crucial component for many funding applications, and it helps to have clear metrics and proof that you’re helping the community. So this is actually good for my own career, as well as a support to my mentor.

Read more about the program, which is part of the New ways of working UTS 2027 initiative.