Mentorship Program

The mission of CSE is to serve editorial professionals in the sciences by providing a network for career development, education, and resources for best practices. Informal networking and professional relationship-building, occurring at the annual meeting and throughout the year, has long been an important part of the CSE experience. For members seeking a structured approach to career development, the CSE Mentorship Program offers the opportunity to gain insights into the dynamic scholarly publishing field in a one-on-one relationship with veteran CSE members. Providing the opportunity for managing editors, production editors, new editors-in-chief, editorial assistants, and others to learn from fellow organization members is integral to the mission and spirit of CSE.

Mentees may have a variety of needs ranging from learning nuts-and-bolts types of skills required to be a successful editor to other less tangible skills, such as handling interpersonal workplace dynamics, working effectively with management and colleagues, practicing self-advocacy, and being a good listener.  Mentors can also provide guidance on the many challenges that a Mentee may face in his or her career, including such things as finding resources, emerging technology, networking, author misconduct, and conflict of interest issues. The Mentorship Program is geared towards early career professionals, but members at all career stages are most welcome to request a Mentor.

Participating in the Program

If you are interested in requesting a mentor, please apply here. Applicants must be members of CSE.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please apply here.

Commitment and Activities

The length of an assigned CSE mentor/mentee relationship will be one year, spanning from one CSE Annual Meeting to the following. Activities include:

  • Monthly phone calls (or as agreed upon)
  • Personal meetings (during the Annual Meeting and/or locally in a common geographic area when practical)
  • Group activities organized by the Mentorship Committee (mentor/mentee training programs)
  • Webinars on topics of interest suggested by mentors or mentees
  • After the first year, mentoring may continue informally.

Mentorship Committee

The CSE Mentorship Committee provides oversight and planning for the program. The Committee defines the framework of the program, develops and maintains a list of interested mentors and mentees, screens applications and pairs mentees with mentors, provides mentor training materials, new mentee materials, and continually evaluates the effectiveness of the program.

If you are interested in serving on the Mentorship Committee, please contact the CSE office.