ABP Industry Mentoring

You will not be able to choose your mentor.

The volunteer mentors participating in the program come from a diverse range of backgrounds. We match students and mentors based on preferences, including industry, study area, gender, or any other criteria indicated. If your preferences don’t match any of the available volunteers, or if you didn’t submit a detailed application, you may not be matched with a mentor. In this instance, we’ll discuss other available options with you.

If you have any questions prior to the matching process, please contact the Program Officer directly.

Yes, it is possible. However, the aim of the mentoring relationship is to expand your knowledge of career options and the working world. You can still learn a lot from a mentor in another field of work so we ask mentees to keep an open mind. While you can specify preferences in your application, please be aware that highly specific criteria may limit your chances of being matched.

Once matched, it’s expected that you initiate at least 3 meetings with your mentor during semester. Meetings can be 30 minutes or longer, depending on individual preferences and needs. Your meetings should be scheduled at a time that suits both parties and it’s preferable that you work around your mentor’s schedule. You can email your mentor to discuss the frequency of your meetings, and this can be negotiated at your first meeting. Between your meetings with your mentor, you’ll likely want to take time to reflect on your discussions and try to put some of the learnings or advice into action.

The format of the meetings (in person/online or a combination of both) should be discussed in the initial communication. Should you choose to meet via an online platform, we recommend using software such as Skype and Zoom. Recommended meeting places for in person meetings could include on campus, your mentor’s place of work (during business hours) a public library, or a quiet café.

The success of a mentoring partnership is dependent on your commitment to engage with your mentor. We know that the more often mentees meet with their mentor, the higher their satisfaction with the program is. You’ll develop valuable skills, experiences and knowledge by participating; the more you put in, the more you’ll get out!

You need to commit to:

• Being available during Semester 2 to meet with a mentor.
• Taking responsibility to initiate and maintain the mentoring connection throughout the program, ensuring you meet at least 3 times.
• Communicating regularly and promptly with mentor.
• Preparing for meetings by considering topics of discussion and questions beforehand.
• Honour your meeting commitments and be punctual.
• Keep shared information confidential.

We also encourage you to make use of the resources available to support you including:

• The Preparing for Mentoring LMS module
• The Mentee Preparation Workshop (date confirmed once partnerships are announced)

Your academic year status is based on your total passed credits. Each year of study is equivalent to 100 passed credits. For example, to be considered a second-year student, you need to have accumulated at least 100 total passed credits; for a third-year status, you need at least 200 total passed credits.

Melbourne Plus is the University of Melbourne’s co-curricular recognition program that helps you build valuable skills, meaningful experiences, and receive verified digital credentials you can share on your resume or LinkedIn. Mentees who participate in Education career mentoring, meet eligibility requirements and submit their Melbourne Plus reflection will earn the Global Citizenship digital credential. This capability recognises students who engage with diverse perspectives and develop an understanding of global issues.

Once you complete the mentoring program, if you have met eligibility requirements for the digital credential you will be enrolled in a Melbourne Plus LMS Community where you can complete a reflection on your development and receive the Global Citizenship digital credential.

This program runs annually so please wait until you meet the eligibility criteria before applying. In the meantime, you can join the university’s online networking platform, Ask Alumni, to connect with alumni for career support and guidance.