Buddy Program
Beginning graduate school can be daunting, but being able to connect with someone that already knows some of the ins and outs can make it a little easier. The aim of the buddy program is to help new students get comfortable in the department and acquainted with fellow graduate students through peer mentorship and group social events. Long-term, this program aims to build a strong peer network of uOttawa students past and present.
New to the department?
If you are looking for some general guidance and a friend outside of your research group, sign up to be a junior student in the buddy program! You will get paired with another graduate student in your department (but not in your group). Mentors will help answer questions related to campus, courses, program requirements, social events, the Ottawa area, etc.
Want to be a mentor?
If you would like to meet and help new students in the department, sign up to be a senior student in the buddy program! Senior students who volunteer will be paired with 1-2 junior students who have signed up. The minimum time requirement is approximately 1h/week for the first month and 1h/month in the following months for a one-year match.
The buddy program operates with the direct support of the CBGSA and the SSA. Both the Faculty of Science and the director of graduate studies for the Faculty of Science, Dr. Deryn Fogg, sponsor this program.
Program Feedback
More feedback will be added as the program continues!
Feedback from our Fall 2020 survey of program participants. Click the infographic to increase it in size.
Our Events
Social Events
Social gatherings (virtual for now!) will be hosted by the buddy program for both junior and senior students to network and connect.
Round Tables
Q & A sessions with grad students and alumni (virtually for now!) to help build your professional network!
Info Sessions
Info sessions will be hosted (virtually for now!) to help all students learn more about grad school, professional development, and more!
Some of our past event posters:
Events are designed to be inclusive and welcoming. Have a suggestion to improve your experience at these events? Let us know by email at gradstudentbuddyprogram@gmail.com or in the suggestion form below.
Q & A
How are junior and senior students paired?
We have created this handy infographic to help explain how we pair our junior students with senior students.
What is the commitment?
Senior and junior students will be matched on a rolling basis, but most of our matches will occur at the beginning of each term. Matches will typically last for one semester (with exceptions made for visiting students and undergrads). You can always decline a match if for any reason you are unable to fulfill your role. You can meet in person and/or communicate remotely (e.g. email/text/videochat) with your senior/junior match whenever you both agree.
I am a fourth year honours project student in the chemistry and biomolecular sciences department. Can I be paired with a mentor?
Absolutely! Senior students can be paired with honours students that are CURRENTLY completing an honours research project in the department of chemistry and biomolecular sciences department as available. You can sign up as a junior student by clicking here. If you will be completing an honours project in the department in a future year, please keep us in mind and feel free to sign up the summer before you start your project!
I am a visiting student to the department of chemistry and biomolecular sciences. Am I able to be paired with a mentor?
Absolutely! We highly encourage you to sign up for the program as a junior student by clicking here. As a visiting student, you may not be here for entire semesters therefore the term commitment between you and your mentor more flexible to suit how long you will be at uOttawa.