Mentoring
Share your career experience and help students develop their own career opportunities - join the Faculty of Economics and Commerce career mentor program.
The Faculty of Economics and Commerce at the University of Melbourne
runs a Career Mentor Program for selected postgraduates. Career or vocational
mentoring prepares students for work and life after graduation - for
transition out of university.
The aim of the program is to help students
discover the range of their career options; gain insights into a specific
industry; begin to develop personal and professional networks; gain
understanding and/or experience of the workforce; start to plan their
career paths; and be supported and encouraged throughout the course.
It is not a job placement program.
The program is launched in April each year and participants will be monitored throughout the year by a co-ordinator. It is run in conjunction with similar programs across the University as part of the Career Mentoring Connection, Careers and Employment.
Students participating in the Mentoring Program are linked with a mentor based on their interests, location and area of speciality. The industry mentors help them develop the necessary skills to set career goals. Mentors will encourage students to challenge their existing assumptions, set objectives, accept new ideas and work towards their goals.
The Career Mentor Program is not a work experience initiative and the time commitment of mentors and students in 2003 and 2004 has proved modest with about 3-4 meetings per annum, supplemented by monthly email or phone contact.
By being a mentor you will:
- Contribute to the personal and professional development of future colleagues
- Ensure students pursue appropriate career paths
- Receive recognition of experience and review your own knowledge
- Become involved in the Faculty
- Learn about current curriculum and trends
Who can be a mentor?
Members of finance, marketing, e-commerce, accounting, IT or management professions are invited to become mentors. Volunteers should be committed to the concept of working positively with young people. Some of the characteristics of effective mentors include:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, especially listening
- Have, or be willing to develop, appropriate experience and knowledge of mentoring
- Observe confidentiality and professional boundaries
- Show mutual respect, be open minded, approachable and non-judgmental
Your responsibilities include:
- Developing an individual Mentoring Agreement in conjunction with the student to establish expectations and aims
- Regular contact with the student (2-3 meetings per year, monthly email/phone call)
- Undertake to meet evaluation and compliance requirements
- Willingness to maintain a mentoring relationship for the duration of the course
The Students
Students will be postgraduates specialising in a range of areas including accounting, finance, marketing, business and IT, or management.
Program Outline
Students are matched with mentors based on their interests, location and any other relevant factors. The program commences with a launch in April and closes officially at a function in November. The program is evaluated using surveys, interviews and focus groups and participants in the mentoring program will be contacted during the year by the coordinator.
More Information:
If you wish to discuss your involvement contact:
Graduate Careers Centre
Faculty of Economics and Commerce
Email:
ecom-gcc@unimelb.edu.au
Tel: 03 8344 2629