Mentors
Your Student
Other
Generally, we consider mentors who have at least 3 years work experience in the field of their studies or a related business discipline. However, alumni who have recently completed a graduate entry program for 1-2 years can be very supportive for students wanting to understand their options with regards to these programs, the eligibility and application process and employer expectations.
While the registration period is open (usually between January - March) you can visit the Mentor Program Portal and complete the online registration form. When the registration period is closed you can express your interest to participate in the coming year by emailing the Business Career Mentor Team.
As a minimum you are required to meet with your mentee for 6 x 1 hour meetings between May - November. These meetings can be face to face, via email, phone or Skype, or a combination thereof. It is strongly recommended that you also participate in a training and preparation session either on campus or online.
Other opportunities include:
May - November.
Yes! Your previous work history as a retiree is extremely valuable. If you are between employment and have an extensive work history we are still very keen to have you as a mentor and will list your most recent position and employer on your profile as ‘former’.
Yes. We have students who study externally and may be based in a remote area, interstate or overseas. We allow for mentoring to occur via email, phone and Skype. If you are based interstate or overseas your experience is very important to a student who may be considering relocating upon graduation and to gain an understanding of opportunities and work place culture outside of South Australia.
The application process consists of an online application form where students nominate their three preferred mentors and answer three questions:
Students also partake in an online interview, and successful students proceed to a training and preparation session which includes a goal setting activity.
The strength of the student’s application, the case they have presented for their preferred mentors and their interview performance contribute to the matching process.
Mentees agree to:
Yes. If you would like to mentor more than one mentee, please contact a member of the Business Careers Mentor Program Team.
The Business Career Mentor Program contract (Mentoring Agreement) includes insurance cover for field trips, site visits and work shadowing for the term of the mentor agreement (until November 30, 2018). If you have any enquiries about insurance and activities for your mentee please contact the Business Careers Mentor Program Team. Mentees are asked to bring the Mentoring Agreement along with them to the first meeting with their mentor for both parties to sign.
Mentees in the program are aware that it is their responsibility to drive the relationship. As a minimum they are required to contact you to arrange your monthly meetings and then attend that meeting. If you have not had contact with your mentee for over a month please contact the Business Careers Mentor Program Team and a member of the team will follow up with your mentee.
In the first instance it is encouraged that any issues are attempted to be resolved between each other. Common problems that arise are:
Basic strategies to resolve this include:
If you have tried these suggestions and you are still having issues with your mentee please contact a member of the Business Career Mentor Program Team and discuss. If it is determined that your problem is irreconcilable the relationship can be ended through the ‘no blame’ clause.
Generally yes, however changes to the Fair Work Act have made this more difficult. If you have an opportunity, please contact Fiona Solente on +61 88302 0541 to discuss as paperwork and insurance coverage may be required.
No. This is not a requirement of the program
Yes. If it is a basic activity that falls within the insurance coverage of the program eg field trip, site visit, shadowing etc you are able to promote the opportunity to other mentors in the program via the monthly ezines. Please contact the Business Careers Mentor Program Team for more information. If it is a larger project, compliance with the Fair Work Act will need to be considered. Please contact Fiona Solente to discuss.
Yes. You may continue in an informal way that does not require your student to be accepted into the Business Careeers Mentor Program. However, if you and your student feel another year of the formal structure of the program would be beneficial you may be rolled over into the next intake. For this to occur, your student must successfully complete the program which means they must fulfill all of the program requirements (reflections, completed agreement, event attendance, feedback etc)
These conversations are difficult and outside the responsibility of the mentor and the University. As a result, advice has been sought to assist you should your student raise these questions:
Yes you are. We have collected a range of examples from student reflections that demonstrate how your advice has assisted their development. Please refer to the How You Make A Difference in Mentor Buddy section of this App for more information.
Yes. You can be noted as an expression of interest for the following year and when registrations open you will receive information from the team so you are able to participate again.
Yes. Please email Fiona Solente to discuss your needs.
Yes. If registrations are not open they can be added to the Expression Of Interest register and will be contacted as soon as the program re-opens.
Alternative meeting arrangements can be made – email, phone and Skype options will count as a meeting. If these options are not possible while you are away mentees have one month grace period in their meeting requirements so missing one month is acceptable.