2008 program review
To use a modern term, Stefanie is working the room. An invited guest to an event hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, she is networking her way through a crowd of guests who include the heads of faculties, politicians and local business leaders. Stefanie is the only student invited, and is a special guest of her mentor David Ensor, the University's Executive Director of Business Development.
David has put his 'mentee' to work. Not that she minds. Stefanie is working on the launch of the La Trobe University Foundation, and its accompanying marketing material. She has also helped the University develop a business case to seek funds for the Australian Institute of Molecular Medicine which is leading aspects of cancer research. A $45m application has been submitted to the Government and $7m has already been committed from a donor.
This program has given students opportunities to explore things they normally wouldnt encounter as part of their studies, says David, who also invites Stefanie to shadow various meetings he thinks she could benefit from attending, and debriefs her after to fill in the gaps.
The demand for graduate employment is unprecedented and very competitive. Many graduates get despondent when they hit a roadblock along their path to employment. The process of mentoring students through their final year of University has proven a success in helping that transition from study to full-time employment.
Stefanie is grateful that David has been so thoughtful in exposing her to some inspiring vocational experiences.
I've had the opportunity to attend meetings to raise capital for the new Australian Institute of Molecular Medicine, and to meet some great scientific minds. I've found the meetings so inspiring, and realised that I had no idea how big projects involve pulling together of so many different people for the best possible outcome.
Stefanie says that when she initially signed up for the mentoring program, she didnt expect it to be so involved.
I thought we might swap a few emails here and there, but I didnt expect such a genuinely interested mentor, she says.
La Trobe University Administrative Change Program manager, Ian Smith says the program is a great initiative of the University.
It is really helpful to students in that it prepares them for the workforce. In a sense, it is a type of work experience. I discuss CV preparation, interview techniques and I try to give a sense of what work is really all about. Im a sounding board of sorts.
Ian remembers being mentored early in his career and says in many ways he is the unofficial mentor to a much wider group of staff as well as officially, to the two final year students he is mentoring.
It is great for the University, Ian says. It reflects that we have well prepared graduates.
One of Ians mentees, Ilker, a final year Business (Honours) student, says that a text-book will only show you so much.
Ian has given me such a great insight into how things work, and I am really focused on learning as much as I can about the integration of the human element into human resources, so it is right up Ians alley, Ilker says.
You are taught general skills in class, but it has taken this program and Ian to give me a greater idea of how I can grasp these concepts and apply it in a practical context.
David Ensor says he has derived great personal satisfaction from mentoring Stefanie. From offering advice and pointers to giving her entry into any networks I can. Stefanie is a very capable person and I do my best to support her, he says.
Stefanie highly recommends the program to anyone considering being a part of it in 2009. Nothing is handed to you on a plate, just because you have a degree, she says. Being mentored has given me such great ideas and the confidence to follow those ideas through. It is really encouraging to actually have someone interested in what Im doing, and what I am going to do when I graduate.
Davids best pointer? He said to me make sure I know what my principles are and to stick to them. He said in his experience he has found that common sense always prevails. I think that is pretty good advice, Stefanie says.
