Thank you for volunteering!
We are truly grateful for your willingness to support our PhD students.
These brief yet impactful 30-minute conversations give students the opportunity to hear real-world perspectives, explore career pathways, and gain clarity in a supportive, low-pressure setting. Your lived experience is incredibly valuable.
Please review the information below to help ensure a meaningful session.
Your role as a career chat mentor
As a UF College of Medicine PhD alum, your journey offers important insight into the possibilities that follow graduate training.
During your 30-minute session, we encourage you to:
- Share your path from graduate training to your current role.
- Describe what a typical day looks like in your position (academia, industry, government, nonprofit, etc.).
- Discuss key decisions or transitions in your career.
- Be candid about both the rewards and challenges of your field.
- Offer perspective on skills that matter most beyond the PhD.
- Ask students open-ended questions about their interests and goals.
- Listen with curiosity and provide encouragement.
These are informal, student-led conversations; no formal preparation required. Your experience and authenticity are more than enough.
Conversation tips & starters
You might consider sharing:
- What drew you to your current career path?
- How did you evaluate your options after graduate school?
- What is something you wish you had known during your PhD training?
- What transferable skills proved most valuable in your career?
- What does professional growth look like in your field?
- What misconceptions do students often have about this path?
You may also ask students:
- What are you hoping to gain from your PhD experience?
- What career paths are you currently exploring?
- What feels most uncertain right now?
- What skills are you hoping to develop?
Remember: This is just the start. If both you and the student are open to it, you’re welcome to continue the conversation afterward through the UF Gator Network, email, or LinkedIn.
Be mindful
We encourage all mentors to approach these conversations with openness and respect. It’s helpful to reflect on how our personal experiences may shape our interactions. The best moments of mentoring often happen when we’re willing to listen, learn, and acknowledge that our paths are all unique.
Student Well-being
If, during your conversation, a student shares something concerning their well-being or safety, please do not try to address it alone. Instead:
- Encourage the student to reach out to the UF CWC (Counseling & Wellness Center) or their college advisor
- If there is an urgent concern, you may contact UF UFPD (352) 392-1111 or notify our office so we can follow up appropriately, (352)-273-7986.
Questions or Need Support?
We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Email us at: drgator@health.ufl.edu
Learn more about the Gator Network: https://connect.ufalumni.ufl.edu/career-resources/alumninetwork
Thank you again for taking the time to give back. Your experience and insight can make all the difference for a student exploring their future in the medical field.