Peer Advising Program

What is the program commitment for peer advisors?

We ask that peer advisors:

1. Attend a synchronous or asynchronous training session in the Fall semester (required). 
2. Engage in one or more 30- to 60-minute conversations with your peer advisee (via phone, FaceTime/Skype, etc.) prior to SPSP’s Annual Convention.
3. Set up advising goals you would like to reach via the program (e.g. learn more about applying to graduate school, learn a new skill, etc.).
4. Schedule an in-person or virtual meeting with your advisee at or close to the convention.

If you and your peer advisee are pleased with your interactions, we hope that you will continue this relationship! 

There is a possibility that a peer advisor will have more than one peer advisee. In the survey, we ask how many peer advisees you feel comfortable managing considering the amount of time you must devote to each relationship. 

Are there any benefits to participating?

The Peer Advising Program is an excellent way to practice and hone your advising skills. Peer advisors will have the opportunity to give insight into graduate school and what types of skills are required to be successful in academia.

This program offers more advanced graduate students an opportunity for professional service by acting as a peer advisor to an early-career student—a line for your CV as well as valuable leadership and advising experience. In addition, this program will provide the opportunity to expand one’s network with peers that may become future collaborators and colleagues.

Are you interested?

Applications for 2022-2023 are currently closed. 

In the application, you will find questions related to your educational history, your research interests, your beliefs about peer advising, and which skills you possess and prioritize. Your information will be anonymized and compiled into a Peer Advisor document for potential advisees to view and select from.

What is the program commitment for peer advisees?

We ask that peer advisees:

1. Engage in one or more 30- to 60-minute conversations with their peer advisor (via phone, FaceTime/Skype, etc.) prior to SPSP’s Annual Convention
2. Set up advising goals you would like to reach via the program (e.g. learn more about applying to graduate school, learn a new skill, etc.), and lastly,
3. Schedule an in-person or virtual meeting with your advisor at or close to the convention.

If you and your peer advisor are pleased with your interactions, we hope that you will continue this relationship! 

Are there any benefits to participating?

The Peer Advising Program is an excellent way to learn from a more experienced peer who shares similar academic and research experience, and who may provide useful advice, insight, and skills that could benefit advisees in their ongoing academic pursuits. Additionally, the program will serve as a useful networking experience by connecting peer advisees and advisors, and facilitating opportunities to interact and learn from each other.

Are you interested?

Applications for 2022-2023 are currently closed. Applications for 2023-2024 peer advisees will open in October 2023.

In the application, you will find questions related to your educational history, your research interests, your beliefs about peer advising and why you want to be a peer advisee. Additionally, you will receive access to an anonymized database of this year’s peer advisors. You will select potential peer advisors from this document.

Remember: Please be mindful that peer advisors and other peer advisees may become future colleagues. As such, always speak respectfully of and to them, even when discussing challenging interactions. Try to keep your correspondence professional and constructive.