Information for mentors
We are seeking a diverse range of industry professionals who can build talent into strengths – are you ready to help?
You can enrich the lives of La Trobe University students or recent graduates by becoming a career mentor. Share your knowledge and help with transition into the workforce while also accessing a range of mentor development activities for your own professional development.
Our feedback consistently shows that a career mentor can significantly benefit students’ career development and confidence in professional environments.
2013 Program information
You will have the opportunity to be matched with an individual or a group from your local La Trobe University campus.
The program runs from April to October and is open to professionals with at least two years’ work experience.
Benefits of being a Mentor:
- Appreciate the value placed by others on your own life experiences
- Increase your leadership and communication skills
- Give back to your profession and your community
- Find an employee for your organisation
- Gain an understanding of a new generation of graduates
- Demonstrate your coaching and personnel development skills
- Increase your professional network and liaise with future colleagues
FAQ’s
How does it work?
You will be matched with a student or very recent graduate from your local campus who is keen to learn from you. You then commit to participate in mentoring meetings with your mentee and have the option of attending mentoring networking events during the year. Meetings can be conducted face to face or via email. Your professional advice will be well appreciated; our current mentors find their mentee partnerships very beneficial to their career planning.
How much time do I need to commit?
The program only requires five meeting times per year from April to October and some of these communications with your mentee can be via email or phone.
What if I can’t commit to individual mentoring?
If you are unable to commit to individual mentoring at this stage, we encourage you to join our Student Career Mentoring Network and participate in speed mentoring events and online discussions via LinkedIn.
Who can be a mentor?
We have a diverse range of mentors from a many industries who are attracted by the opportunity to ‘give something back’ whilst furthering their own professional development. We ask that you have at least two years of professional work experience. Training will be provided on mentoring as no former experience is assumed.
How can mentors assist students?
Mentors are able to listen impartially to students’ as they discuss their career plans and provide advice and information from their own experience. They provide insights into specific industries and job roles and can explain links between academic learning and practical experience. Mentors offer encouragement and may also assist in their mentees’ professional development and ability to build networks.
Will the mentee expect a job from me?
No. Mentees are encouraged to build networks and this does sometimes lead to offers of work experience or employment, however mentees are explicitly told not to expect this outcome.
How do I register?
What resources are available?
Important program resources, including a Mentoring Agreement, are available as downloads on this page. You can also join the La Trobe University Student Career Mentoring Program Group on LinkedIn. Once you have created your own LinkedIn profile, you can join this group and network with other mentees and mentors in the program, as well as keep up with the latest news, discussions, RSS feeds and more.
A monthly career mentoring newsletter will also be emailed to you once the program beings. This will include helpful articles on mentoring tips and advice.
Mentors can also access the student focused mentoring website on CareerHub using your login details.
Dates for the 2013 program
- January
Individual Mentor registrations open - March 4
Mentee applications open - April 7
Mentor and Mentee applications close - April 8 and 11
Mentee briefing sessions - May 14
Program Launch, Bendigo - May 15
Program Launch, Melbourne - August 13
Mid Program Event, Melbourne and Bendigo - October 16
Program Closing Event
Speed Mentoring and Networking Events are planned for Albury/Wodonga, Shepparton and Mildura campuses during Semester 2 (dates to be confirmed).
For additional information contact
Patricia Brown
Student Career Mentoring Program Coordinator
T: 03 9479 3524 E: mentoring@latrobe.edu.au
