“Biology Buddy” coordinator: an excellent CV building opportunity

The School of Biology is developing a new mentoring programme called the “Biology Buddy Scheme”. The aim is to help new students to integrate into our vibrant and friendly community. We are especially keen to help new first years, particularly foreign students, and direct entrants to second year, to integrate early in their time at St Andrews.

The idea is for incoming School of Biology undergraduates to have a pair of mentors from 2nd and 3rd year. Ideally the mentors, who will have different biology interests, will be available as points of contact in the summer before new students arrive.  Mentors will oversee a small group of first year students. We envisage the organisation of a few small get togethers, and perhaps some larger events, over the course of the academic year.

We need to recruit a student coordinator for the “Biology Buddy Scheme”. The coordinator will ideally be a second year going into third year, but any excellent candidates will be considered!

The role involves 

  • advertising the scheme
  • recruiting potential mentors
  • personalising a mentor handbook for the scheme
  • creating mentoring partnerships using the University’s Sumac software
  • acting as the first point of contact for mentor/mentee queries. 

Full training is given on Sumac software.  CAPOD will provide training for the student coordinator, running briefing sessions if required, and evaluating the impact of the scheme.

Interested individuals should submit a short CV and a statement (up to one side A4) explaining their interest in, and aptitude for, taking on the role. Please see the flyer for information.

This is a great CV building opportunity, and requires a person/persons with commitment, organisational skills, and energy to dedicate during the summer (some input will also be required this semester to recruit the mentors). 

To apply for this exciting new role please email cat.wilson@st-andrews.ac.uk