At the European Aquaculture Society (EAS), our members represent a collective knowledge and expertise spanning thousands of years. Many of our 'senior' members have been pivotal to the growth of aquaculture, leading their respective fields and contributing significantly to scientific advancements.

In recent years, the EAS Student Group has revitalized student participation, creating a thriving community of aspiring aquaculture professionals. The impressive student engagement at Aquaculture Europe events underscores the potential for meaningful exchanges between students and seasoned experts.

To build on this foundation, we’ve launched "Adopt a Student", a mentoring initiative designed to foster informal, impactful connections between students and senior members - not just at events but throughout the year.

Why Join "Adopt a Student"?

For Students

• Gain direct access to a wealth of experience and industry knowledge.
• Interact informally with leaders in your field, beyond the traditional university structure.
• Receive personalized guidance on tasks, career planning, networking, and more.

For Mentors

• Share your expertise and make a difference in shaping the future of aquaculture.
• Stay informed on emerging trends and fresh perspectives.
• Enhance your mentoring and communication skills, including through social media.

For EAS

• Strengthen the bond between students and seasoned members.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and professional development within the community.
• Maximize the networking benefits of EAS membership.

How Does It Work?
Each mentoring relationship is tailored to suit individual needs, with clear guidelines established at the outset. Mentors and mentees will decide on

• Meeting format: In-person, phone, or video calls.
• Frequency: Weekly, monthly, or as agreed.
• Duration: Specify the length of sessions and the overall mentoring period.
• Objectives: Define realistic goals and set agendas for each meeting.

Topics for mentoring may include career advice, manuscript reviews, funding opportunities, and more.

Participants will share their experiences through:

• Short stories for the EAS newsletter and EAS_SG social media.
• Annual summaries for the EAS magazine and Board updates.
• Collaborative presentations and short films at Aquaculture Europe events.

Sign Up Today!
Whether you're a seasoned expert or a student eager to learn, we invite you to join this initiative. Signing up is simple:

1. Provide your name, contact details, interests (species, environments, technologies, etc.), and education level (for students).
2. Share your motivations for joining and any preferences for your mentoring partner.
3. Submit your information to the EAS Secretariat, and we’ll match you with a suitable mentor or mentee.

Bonus: Active participants will receive FREE EAS membership during their involvement in the "Adopt a Student" program!

  Click on me and read testimonials

Feedback from our two Adopt a student pairs, Fernando Afonso and Mairin-Rua Ni Aodha & Gavin Burnell and Julian Zwarg are available in the form of a podcast.
Click here and listen free EAStalk podcasts.