About being a Mentor - for professionals

Career Mentor Link gives you the opportunity to become involved with one of the best universities in the country. In addition to assisting and networking with high-calibre students, you'll also be able to work on your own skills in areas such as leadership, communication and coaching.

Career Mentor Link is not a work experience programme, but a career mentoring programme. The focus is on helping a student develop the skills they need to manage their career, rather than on-the-job training.

Benefits to Mentors

By participating in Career Mentor Link you are likely to:

• Obtain personal satisfaction from making a difference to the career development of another person
• Enhance your 'people skills' in areas such as leadership, interpersonal skills and communication
• Increase your professional networks
• Hear fresh perspectives from future members of your profession
• Increase your profile and the profile of your organisation amongst students and staff at the University.

What makes a good mentor?

An effective Mentor has the following characteristics:

• Desire to share information, expertise and experience and to act as a resource
• Ability to recognise and encourage the mentee's potential
• Wilingness to invest time and effort in the mentoring relationship and fulfil the agreed commitments
• Ability to give and receive constructive and honest feedback
• Commited to assist the mentee in their decision making processes by listening, sharing and reviewing options
• Willingness to facilitate networking opportunities through professional contacts

Mentor Responsibilities

The role of the mentor is to support, guide and encourage the mentee in developing the skills and focus they need to develop and manage their career.

Mentors are required to:

• Complete the Mentoring Agreement in conjunction with the mentee
• Agree on a regular, mutually convenient contact schedule
• Advise the mentee if they are unable to attend scheduled meetings
• Observe confidentiality and personal boundaries
• Complete and submit programme reports and evaluations by the due dates
• Encourage exploration of ideas and facilitate self-directed learning
• Encourage the mentee's strengths and help them work on their weaknesses
• Check on the effectiveness of the communication - are we connecting?
• Check on the effectiveness of the relationship - is the mentee making progress?
• Contact the Career Mentor Link Co-ordinator if any concerns arise

Expected Time Commitment

The programme runs over the academic year, from April to October. The amount of time is not onerous and usually involves some email and phone contact and a few face-to-face meetings.

At a minimum, mentors are expected to:

• Attend an introductory workshop (optional)
• Attend the launch function to meet their mentee and other mentors
• After the launch function, meet face-to-face at least 2 times over the duration of program
• Maintain monthly telephone and/or email contact
• Attend the end of program function
• Complete and submit an end of program evaluation

It is possible to extend the mentoring relationship into a second year if both parties wish to do so.

Become Involved!

Mentors are vital in making the UWA Career Mentor Link programme a success. We value your participation and will assist you every step of the way. The mentoring programme is available to industry professionals, residing in WA, with a minimum 4 years in the workforce. If you are interested in becoming a career mentor then please complete the Registration form.