Testimonials from Career Mentor Link participants

What students said about the programme in 2008

“Helped to find out about uni life and career options”

“Its an excellent opportunity to connect with those working in your chosen field”

“Great experience, provides realistic views of work life in Australia"

“It was a useful way of exploring career options and gaining feedback on career plans.”

“It is a valuable experience that gives you a more experienced persons perspective. Mentoring is very important to keeping career progression on track and it is a valuable asset having someone impartial and in the business world to bounce ideas off.”

“Students need to gain an understanding of the field they may spend many years working in. This is not always possible at uni.”

“It is practical”

“It offers the best opportunity to meet someone from the industry you are interested in that can give you tips as well as a detailed perspective of what the work is like. It also gives you the opportunity to network with your mentor and those within their circle.”

“It gives direction to those who are lost. For those who have never had a mentor before it will clearly show them the benefits of having one"”

“Excellent resources provided in both personal development (diversity workshop) and preparation for employment (mock application process); access to dedicated professional mentor”

“Overall, an excellent program which has helped me considerably in my future career direction, and has put me in touch with a brilliant mentor who has gone above and beyond the call of the program in offering to continue the relationship.”

“The program exceeded all my expectations and was a very succesful and rewarding experience.”

“Thank you very much to the team for... everything! It has been a great experience and I've learned so much that books and lectures just can't teach you!”

“This is an incredibly important part of the process of becoming more knowledgeable about practical aspects of career and work experience. I am surprised that more local students do not participate in the excellent opportunity you provide. I think that you organise one of the best 'units' at UNI.”

“Helps students gain a perspective of industry they can build on towards at the end of their degree. I for one feel this programme has opened my eyes to what is actually there rather than being dependent on old stereotypes emphasised by my peers.”

“Gives you a great understanding of 'real' work by talking to industry professionals”

What mentors said was the "best part" of the programme:

“the opportunity to offer my experience, especially since I didn't have anything like this to guide me more clearly into my profession”

"The pleasure that you get from helping, in any way, someone achieve their goals and aspirations”

“Getting to meet a young, bright and motivated person - it restored my faith in young people!”

“Being a sounding board for a bright student making some difficult decisions, that will effect the rest of her life”

“Being given the opportunity to meet a student in my field of experience, and listen to their aspirations.”

“I think the best aspect is the fact that the program does work as a friendly and informal framework for helping students make career decisions”

“I gained experience in mentoring (as this was my first time) and personal satisfaction in feeling like we had achieved something together.”

“The opportunity to 'give back' to the profession and give a new entrant a helping hand to establish herself and network.”