For Students
It can be daunting to think past your final year of undergraduate study and what you might be doing next. What does a career in a particular field actually look like in reality? Should you undertake further study? Being mentored provides you with insights into the professional world and helps you to expand your knowledge of career options and plan for life after study.
Apply for a Mentor
2024 mentee applications are by invitation only and will open in mid-June. Please email the program administrator for information on how to be part of the program.
Access Connections Program: access-connections@unimelb.edu.au.
The benefits of having a mentor?
Mentors challenge, motivate, inspire and empower you to pursue your goals.
Mentoring is a great way to:
- Find out about alternative career paths and options post-study
- Learn from a professional about how to successfully adjust to the working world
- Develop your career plan and align your goals to your values
- Gain confidence and a career direction
- Increase your confidence in networking and your professional communication skills
- Improve your chances of success in your job application by developing a professional CV & practicing your interview techniques
-
Be more informed about graduate study and career option.
The success of a mentoring partnership is dependent on a mentee's commitment to engage with their mentor.
The structure and matching process?
This program is facilitated by University staff who will support you and your mentor throughout the program.
The Access Connections Mentoring Program aims to expand student participants knowledge of and connection with the professional world:
- Program runs for months (over the course of semester 2)
- Meet 3 - 4 times over the course of the program
- The frequency and length of meetings are negotiable with your mentor
- Students matched will be invited to an online preparation session (July) to help them prepare
- Students matched will also sign off on a mentoring agreement which outlines proposed meeting schedules and mentoring goals
Matching Process.
When matching you with a mentor we will take into consideration:
- Your personal preferences - recorded via the application form
- Whether your preferences match with registered mentors
- Your motivations for participating in the program
- Your level of commitment to the program
- Your current year level - students in their final year are given first preference
- Whether you have already participated in the program
- You will also have the chance to talk to program administrators at the mentoring workshops prior to matching taking place, to ask questions about the matching process
Eligibility Criteria?
To be eligible for the Access Connections Mentoring Program?
- Have been granted entry to the University via the Access Melbourne Entry Scheme
- Are typically completing the second year or above of their undergraduate degree
- Undergraduate students who are currently seeking asylum in Australia
- Are enrolled in any of our undergraduate degrees and associated majors
- Applied and selected by the program coordinator (this is not a compulsory program, nor are students guaranteed a mentor)
-
Have demonstrated their commitment to the program and completed the online application by the due date.
Access Connections Career Mentoring Information Session
Students who are eligible to sign up for the program will be invited to attend an information session in late May. The session will provide a full understanding of the program and the benefits of career mentoring. To find out if you are eligible, please contact the program administrator.
More information
If you would like any further information about mentoring in general, please contact the Mentoring Program Coordinator via email: access-connections@unimelb.edu.au.
Last updated: 18th April 2024.
