Peer Mentor Profile
Adele Cooper - studying: Master of Dietetics, University of Queensland
Studied: Bachelor of Nutritional Science (Human Nutrition), La Trobe University. Mentor: 2008 - 2009.
At La Trobe University I studied a Bachelor of Nutritional Science, majoring in Biochemistry. This degree combined my love of food and science and my learning was enhanced, supported and expanded with assistance of my secondary and tertiary teachers, lecturers and team members.
I applied for the In2science program at the beginning of my 2nd year of study. My motivation for getting involved was to be involved with doing something different. I wasn’t involved with any other university groups or organisations or volunteer work and was motivated to be involved with an activity that would also benefit my future study and career prospects. Being able to develop my communication skills was an extremely appealing aspect of the Mentor Program. During my three mentoring placements, I was volunteered at 2 different schools and worked with students from year 7 to year 11. Due to my 3 placements, I received a letter of thanks from the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering.
During my time as an In2science Peer Mentor I was able to help the students and teachers in theory and practical activities in science and mathematics classes. Particularly during placement with the younger students, my assistance during lab classes was extremely appreciated by the teachers as the students were new to learning in a scientific laboratory. When the students were studying topics I had not studied myself, I was able to learn together with the students and they were just as helpful to me as I was to them. At times, I drew on my own scientific knowledge to contribute to the students’ learning and provide an alternative source of information. I also found that a lot of the older students were quite interested in what life at university was like as they were thinking about post-secondary school direction. Overall, any assistance I could provide to the students and teachers was greatly appreciated by both groups.
Being a peer mentor has given me an incredible experience and has been invaluable to my learning (educational and personal) and career. Whilst improving my communication, understanding, learning and time management skills, my confidence in working with all groups of people has improved significantly.
After completing my degree, I took some time off, travelled and worked as a nutrition consultant in a gym. However, I am currently completing a Master of Dietetics at the University of Queensland. Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the In2Science program, only now am I able to fully appreciate my experience and involvement with the program. It was an excellent way to demonstrate my dedicated and hard working nature throughout the postgraduate application process and aided in my successful acceptance into my current course. As in many fields of study and work, proficient communication skills are essential and this necessity does not dwindle in the dietetic industry.
Adele