Mentoring program

The UOW mentoring program matches UOW alumni with current UOW students who are seeking career advice to gain insight into the opportunities and challenges of working in a specific industry.

Our different mentoring programs

UOW Mentoring Program – this program runs over a period of several weeks in which alumni will mentor undergraduate students and work through a Career Action Plan or the Job Application Plan.

Career Connect Mentoring Program – this program is a one-off, one-hour informational interview session in which alumni provide industry advice and overview as well as conduct a mock interview.

Postgraduate International Mentoring Program – this program spans over a period of several weeks and is designed to help our international students gain confidence with entering the Australian workforce. Mentees are pair with mentors in their area of interest.

• We match your expertise with a current UOW student interested in your field
• You and your mentee agree on the amount of engagement time, with a minimum of four hours over the duration of the longer programs
• Both mentors and mentees agree and adhere to the UOW Code of Conduct

The UOW Mentoring Program will provide training for both mentor and mentee. We will outline expectations, key dates and available resources. For the longer programs, we provide a mid-point check-in survey for mentees and mentors to provide feedback on their progress.

What's in it for you as a mentor?

Mentoring can benefit mentors as much as the mentees. Such benefits include:

• Satisfying the natural human desire to share knowledge and experience
• Achieve satisfaction: For some mentors, having a mentee succeed and eventually become a friend and colleague, is one of their greatest joys
• Develop your professional network: By making contacts for your mentees, you strengthen your own contacts and make new ones
• Extend your contribution: The results of good mentoring have an ongoing and lasting effect, as mentees are often inspired and want to give back

Note: Mentors and mentees will be matched based on responses to the criteria in the application form. It is possible that not all applicants will be matched as it’s determined by students’ needs. We encourage alumni from our different campuses to participate. Meetings with students are to be conducted via phone, video, email or in person where possible.

Frenquently asked questions

What if my mentee and I are in two different locations?

That is not a problem. Many of our mentorships are conducted virtually. If the mentor and mentee live near each other, we encourage face-to-face meetings.

The program orientation for all participants is a live online presentation that runs for about 30 minutes.

What is the time commitment for the UOW Mentoring and the Postgraduate International Mentoring Programs?

UOW Mentoring requires four to five hours of contact time with your mentee over the duration of the program.

There is a virtual orientation session where you will have the opportunity to meet other mentors and mentees.

Will my personal information be shared with my mentee?

When you apply to participate in the mentoring programs you will be required to provide a brief introduction for your mentee. This introduction, along with your name, degree/s you have completed at UOW, current business details and a contact email address will be provided to your mentor. It is your choice if you decide to share more information about yourself throughout your mentoring partnership.

What will I be told about my mentee?

You will be told your mentee's name and the degree they are enrolled in at UOW.

Is there training for mentors?

The UOW Mentoring Program will provide training for both mentor and mentee. We will outline expectations, key dates and available resources. For the longer programs, we provide a mid-point check-in survey for mentees and mentors to provide feedback on their progress.

Am I required to participate in the orientation?

Yes, all mentors are required to participate in the orientation session, which will cover responsibilities and expectations for both mentors and mentees. The mentees will also attend the orientation. On this day you will also be provided with a participant manual which provides more specific information about the program.

Am I able to sign up to mentor through more than one program?

Yes. You are encouraged to participate in more than one program if you have the capacity to commit to doing so.
If you are mentoring in one of the programs that runs over several weeks, we recommend pairing it with the Career Connect Program, as it is a one-off informational interview.

Am I able to sign up to mentor more than one student at a time?

If you do not have the capacity to participate in a longer program, perhaps providing guidance to one or more students at a time through Career Connect is a more viable option.

How do I apply or express my interest in becoming a mentor?

For the UOW Mentoring Program and the Postgraduate International Mentoring Program you will need to submit an application as part of the process when the program is running. In the interim, you can email the Alumni Engagement Team at alumni@uow.edu.au and we will make note of your interest and advise you when the applications open.

You can click on the link for the Career Connect Mentoring Program to register your interest in this style of mentoring.

I am a UOW student, where can I apply to be paired with a mentor?

You can sign up on the Careers Central website.