Author: Andrei Bilog M.Sc., CAPM
This article recaps the key strategies from todayās presentation on mentorship, which is designed to bridge the gap between education and the workplace, empowering students and early-career professionals in the healthcare and biotech spaces.
The Indecision Crisis: Why Mentorship Matters š”
Choosing a major and career path is one of the biggest challenges for college students, and the data shows that indecision is a major issue.
Surveys indicate a significant percentage of graduates regret their major and would choose differently if given a second chance. Fields like humanities, arts, and social sciences often top the list of most regretted fields, largely due to perceived lower earning potential. The lowest regret is seen in fields that lead to specialized, high-demand, and high-paying jobs. Indecision, often manifesting as changing majors, is a major factor contributing to students spending more time in college than the traditional four years.
Mentorship addresses this by providing clarity and direction. Research shows that a mentor can be the single biggest factor in whether a student stays in STEM. Students from underrepresented groups in STEM who had a mentor were over twice as likely to persist in their major compared to those without one.
Mentorship isn't just about grades; it builds belonging, resulting in higher confidence, a stronger identity as a scientist, and a clearer sense of career direction.
The Three Levels of Mentorship šŖ
Not all mentorship looks the same. You can serve as a powerful force in someone's career by operating on one or more of these three levels:
1. Role Model: Being an example and providing inspiration through your journey.
Share your story authentically (wins and struggles). Model professional behavior and a growth mindset (admit when you donāt know and model curiosity).
2. Coach: Guiding the process and helping students discover solutions for themselves.
Use open-ended questions. Give constructive feedback. Help set small, achievable goals.
3. Sponsor: Actively using your influence and capital to advance a mentee's career.
Advocate publicly and when they aren't in the room. Share opportunities and make key introductions.
Practical Mentorship Models for Action š ļø
To effectively apply these levels, we discussed two frameworks: the 4C Model and the 5P Formula.
The 4C Model (Adapted from Clutterbuck & Megginson)
Connect: Start with shared experiences to make them feel seen before giving advice.
Clarify: Get to the "why" behind their interest by asking open-ended questions.
Coach: Turn inspiration into movement by translating interests into concrete action.
Celebrate: Build confidence through regular and genuine acknowledgement.
The 5P Formula: A Simple Way to Discover Direction
This formula helps drill down into a student's core motivations to help identify a fulfilling career path (Profession):
P-Factor | Guiding Question | Focus Area |
Priorities | "What's most important to you right nowāhelping others, earning income, or exploring new things?" | Values and Goals |
Passion | "What topic makes you lose track of time?" | Intrinsic Interest |
Personality | "Do you prefer teamwork, hands-on experiments, or independent research?" | Work Style |
Purpose | "Who or what do you want to help by being in STEM?" | Motivation and Impact |
Profession | "If you like working with people and biology ā maybe healthcare or biotech fits." | Potential Career Path |
The next generation doesnāt need perfect mentors. They need present ones. Be the mentor you needed.
Reference
Event: Cal Poly Pomona SACNAS/Biotech Club Presentation, November 4, 2025.
Source Data: National Science Foundation (NSF) 2023 Report, Bestcolleges.com, University of Tulsa, Earnest, ACTA, Zip Recruiter.
Models: The 4C Model (Adapted from Clutterbuck & Megginsonās Mentoring Executives and Directors), The 5P Formula.
About the Author: Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the UPkeeping Newsletter, focused on career readiness, wellness, and mindset in healthcare, biotech, and education.
More about Andrei Bilog
A dedicated professional and educator, serving as the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of UPkeeping Newsletter. His expertise stems from a powerful combination of experience: 7+ years in the biotech industry, a current MBA pursuit at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and his role as an adjunct professor of Human Anatomy & Physiology. As the President of the Beta Psi Omega National Chapter, Andrei is passionate about student mentorship and guiding the next generation of lifelong learners toward strong career and wellness foundations.
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