Students and professionals in all levels of Earth and space sciences (ESS) are being supported through Mentoring365, a joint effort by NASA, the American Geophysical Union, nine other scientific organizations, and the American Astronomical Society. Earth and space experts (scientists, engineers, mathematicians and more) from across the world will be able to engage with each other in a virtual mentoring program that will encourage the exchange of diverse professional knowledge and experience.
For Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen the NASA associate administrator for science, it’s an honor to engage with professional organizations across NASA’s science mission disciplines to help expand and empower a diverse workforce. It takes all of us to build the best community, and mentorship is at its core.
ESS, astronomy, heliophysics, or planetary science students and researchers should have access to and connect with experienced researchers and science experts. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for students and early-career professionals to create meaningful relationships and transfer information in this new all-virtual work environment because of the lack of face-to-face interactions. These problems are being addressed by Mentoring365.
Nicola Fox, NASA’s Heliophysics Division director, says that “early- and mid-career professionals in the heliophysics, astrophysic, planetary, and Earth science communities are experiencing difficulties finding support for both personal and professional development, and these difficulties have been exacerbated by the pandemic.” While traditional mentoring programs tend to focus on a single institution or conference, Mentoring365 is unusual since it provides equal access to the professional science community throughout the world.
Its partners include the American Geophysical Union, the American Astronomical Society and the Association for Women in Geosciences, as well as the American Meteorological Society, the German Geophysikalische Gesellschaft, the Geological Society of America, the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology and NASA, which are all involved in geoscience research.
According to Dr. Karen St. Germain, director of the NASA Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters, “Mentees and mentors in Mentoring365 have equal access to a wide variety of expertise and perspectives across the global space and geoscience communities thanks to the variety of partnerships.”
A successful mission involves the participation of a wide range of people and occupations. As NASA’s head of the Astrophysics Division, Dr. Paul Hertz says that the next generation of STEM professionals must include everyone, with all of the diverse viewpoints, techniques, knowledge, and positions that are needed to successfully take the next major leaps.
It is the mission of Mentoring365 to help address any and all gaps in the resources necessary for a successful career, as well as extending opportunities both within of and outside of academia. Astrophysics, Heliophysics, Planetary and ESS community members are connected to other professionals who can help them advance their careers by providing guidance to enhance communication and leadership skills, explore a variety of science disciplines, and build connections to successfully move their careers and education forward through this program.
Biological and Physical Sciences Division Director Dr. Craig Kundrot said NASA has a long history of openness and collaboration. This openness and our commitment to creating a dynamic, diverse workforce through initiatives like Mentoring365, I envision a future where new generations of scientists and entrepreneurs will work together to drive people and technology further than we can ever imagine.”
As the name suggests, Mentoring365’s major goal is to cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce comprised of skilled professionals capable of addressing today’s environmental and global issues. This DEIA focus is critical to encouraging science and technology innovation in general.
Keeping DEIA at the forefront “enables us to continuously recruit and engage the best talent from the full spectrum of society,” said Dr. Lori Glaze, director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters. “This diversity of perspectives, capabilities, thinking, culture, and backgrounds is critical to our mission,” she added.
