FAQs

How do I apply to become a Connect Mentor?

Applications for the Connect Mentor Program open in the middle of the semester prior to the program (i.e. September for Semester 1 of the next year, and April-May for Semester 2 of the same year).

To apply during this period, visit the Apply page.

Once you’ve applied, you may be required to attend a Group Interview.

Are there any pre-requisites for the role?

No, there are no pre-requisites to be a Connect Mentor, however we look very favourably on students who have undertaken mentoring roles in the past or have been active participants in student life at La Trobe.

Do I have to attend a Group Interview?

If you are new to the program and don’t have any prior experience then generally, yes you will have to attend a Group Interview. Group Interviews are very informal and offer you a chance to speak about your experiences as a first year student and get any questions you have answered.

If you have been involved in any extra/co-curricula activities at La Trobe and can get a staff member of student leader to refer you to the Connect Mentor Program, you may not need to attend a Group Interview. For more info on the referral process, visit our Apply page.

If you have been a Connect Mentor previously, you do not need to attend a Group Interview.

When will I find out if I have been accepted in the program?

Generally, you’ll find out if you’ve been accepted in the program about a week after your Group Interview.

When does Training occur and how long does it go for?

Connect Mentor Training occurs during the semester breaks – in January/February for Semester 1 and in June/July for Semester Two. Training goes for approximately 5 hours and you only need to attend one training session.

What kind of questions can my mentees ask me?

Your mentees can ask you questions relating to such areas as:

• Timetabling issues
• Managing their workload
• Finding their way around La Trobe University
• Where the best places are to eat and relax on campus
• How to access all available sources of assistance on campus
• How to access systems such as Student Email, LMS and timetabling

Check out the New Students FAQs section to help keep you informed onsome of the other kinds of questions new students may ask you

What can’t I help my mentees with? Where else can I refer my mentees for support?

You are not expected to help your mentees with every issue they may face. You are not a:

• private tutor
• counsellor
• representative for academic matters and disputes.

If one of your mentees needs specialist help, you can connect them to the relevant support service at La Trobe.

How will mentees be assigned to me?

Prior to orientation week, we will sort all new students who have enrolled at La Trobe into mentor groups based on what course they're studying. We will then match up mentors who are studying the same course to these groups. Mentors will be notified of their group number - and in some cases - the details of their group prior to orientation.

When will I meet my mentees?

You will meet your mentees on the first day of Orientation. See the Orientation Program for your campus to find out when the ‘Find Your Connect Mentor and Find Your Way Around Campus’ for your Faculty is scheduled.

Before this session begins you need to register and gather the resources you need for your campus tour – your campus Connect Coordinator will contact you about a time and venue for registration.

Should I continue to meet with them throughout the first six weeks of the semester?

Yes! We definitely encourage you to organise catch ups with your group of mentees during the first six weeks of semester. The frequency of these meetings is entirely up to you, and dependent on your availability as well as your mentees. Coffee vouchers are available to collect from the First Year Coordinators as a way of enticing mentees to come along!

How will I keep in touch with my mentees after Orientation?

Email is an easy way to keep in contact with your mentees after orientation. Make sure that you collect your mentees contact details (and give them yours) when you meet them during Orientation Week. A helpful Mentee Contact Sheet is available for download in the Resources section.

The Connect Coordinator on your campus will send you email templates each week during the first six weeks of semester. These templates contain important information for your mentees. You can personalise these templates with your own helpful hints and messages of encouragement. Some mentors have also found setting up a Facebook group has been an easy way to communicate with their mentees.

What should I do if my mentees don’t respond to my emails?

Don’t feel concerned if some of your mentees don’t respond to your emails. The crucial fact is that you’re sending them. In this way, your mentees are receiving both valuable information and the opportunity to connect with you. It may be that they feel as though they have access to enough knowledge and support already. It’s also possible that they are feeling busy and overwhelmed and that this is why they haven’t responded. Either way, knowing that you’re there to help them if they require assistance is extremely important. Unless they actually contact you directly to opt out, continue to send the email templates to all of your mentees. It may be that they decide to contact you later in the semester.