What is a Learning Community?
In a medical school setting, learning communities refer to a structured, longitudinal group of students and faculty designed to enhance the educational experience through:
- Mentorship
- Collaboration
- Personal and professional development
At AWSOM, these communities are composed of four small groups (12 students each) led by a Career Mentor.
What is a Career Mentor?
Career Mentors are practicing physicians from the local area selected to help guide students with personalized advice throughout their medical journey, including sharing expertise in key areas such as clinical rotations and residency applications.
They also support students in developing their:
- Professional identity
- Networking
- Specialty advising with other medical professionals
Program Details
- Students meet with their Career Mentor at least once per month, typically for a lunch meeting.
- All learning communities have a monthly discussion topic, with the Career Mentor facilitating the discussion and student reflection.
- Career Mentors may also share topics from their own experience, providing students with insights into “the day in the life of a physician.”
- A student from each learning community will be selected by their peers to be a Learning Community Representative. They are charged with meeting with the other representatives and planning events focused on wellness, collaboration, and relationship building.
- Students are assigned to a Career Mentor before Orientation and meet with their Learning Community during Orientation.
For additional information related to Learning Communities, please contact our Director of Student Life and Development: studentlife@alwmed.org