Who is the ideal Mentor?

While clinicians and senior medical staff traditionally fill mentoring roles, there is a growing recognition that medical students in their second year and beyond also make exceptional mentors. Their recent lived experience, familiarity with current curricula, and up‑to‑date study approaches uniquely position them to offer high‑impact, relatable guidance.

The ideal mentoring program offers near‑peer mentors and experienced clinical mentors. Each brings different strengths:

Near-peer mentors:

• approachable

• relatable

• up‑to‑date with study culture

• recently navigated training challenges

Senior clinical mentors:

• long-term career insights

• professional development guidance

• clinical decision-making expertise

• advocacy and networking opportunities

Both a near- peer mentor and a senior mentor have a role in mentoring. Together, they create a layered support system, enabling students to grow academically, personally, and professionally. The DR JuMP program allows mentees to connect with mentors best suited to them to reach their goals at that particular time of their life and career. If you are looking to grow your leadership goals or support the next generation, you can become a mentor with the DR JuMP mentoring program.