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Focus Groups

At the end of MAPS pilot year, both mentees and mentors alike urged MAPS to develop a smaller, more intimate forum where MAPS mentees can interact with each other and other mentors in an informal setting.

In response to last year’s feedback, this year’s MAPS program will now include a focus group requirement. Each focus group will consist of 10 mentees, and will be facilitated and organized by 3-4 MAPS mentors. The MAPS mentors facilitate discussion, asking mentees questions about various topics such as declaring a concentration, finding internships, interacting with professors, etc. While these topics are most likely going to be covered by a panel as well, the focus group gives mentees an intimate, safe space to discuss these topics, as well as their fears, hesitations, etc. about different challenges they face. The group allows for peer feedback, which can be supplemented by anecdotes and wisdom from MAPS mentors. Focus groups could also include the presence of a faculty member, dean or other outside resource.

Each mentee will be required to attend at least one focus group. If mentees wish to attend more than one, they must contact the MAPS Co-Coordinators, Isha Gulati (isha_gulati@brown.edu) and Ethan Levine (ethan_levine@brown.edu), at least one week before the focus group is planned.