Career mentoring for Access Melbourne students

Access Melbourne students in second and third year of their undergraduate studies are encouraged to apply for the University’s career mentoring program even if they are not eligible under their faculty eligibility criteria.

Apply to be partnered with an experienced mentor from the University's alumni community.

Why join?

Mentoring is a powerful tool to make connections in industry and enhance your employment outcomes. It provides insights into the professional world, expands your knowledge of career options and helps you to plan for life after study. Being mentored is a great way to:

  • Find out about career paths, industries and further study options.
  • Learn from a professional about how to source employment after university
  • Develop your career plan and align your goals to your values.
  • Increase your confidence in networking, career direction and professional communication skills
  • Improve your chances of securing a graduate job by developing a professional CV and practicing your interviewing technique.


Program structure

The University’s Career Mentoring program runs in Semester 2 each year. Access Melbourne students will be prioritised for matching wherever possible. Matching occurs based on factors including your career interests; area of work/study and topics you’d like advice on. Other details:

  • 5-month commitment running from July-November.
  • Mentoring pairs should meet at least 3 times over the course of the program.
  • Frequency, length and format of meetings are negotiable, and discussed with your mentor.
  • Outline your meeting schedule and mentoring goals in a signed mentoring agreement.
  • Resources and training, including a Mentee Preparation Workshop, support you throughout the program.

When matching you with a mentor we’ll take into consideration:

  • Whether your preferences match with available mentors
  • Your motivations for participating in the program
  • Your level of commitment to the program
  • Your current year level - students in their final year are given first preference
  • Whether you have already participated in the program

We aim to match as many students as possible to available mentors. However, we cannot guarantee all students who apply for this program will be matched. We’ll make every effort to find a match that meets your preferences as a closely as possible.

Two students walking on campus

Eligibility

Participation for eligible Access Melbourne students is is by invitation-only. We'll contact eligible students via email with application information. To be eligible for the program, you must:

  • Have been granted entry to the University via the Access Melbourne special entry scheme (includes Narrm Scholarship holders) OR
  • Be an undergraduate student who is currently seeking asylum in Australia  AND
  • Be enrolled in the second year or above of an undergraduate degree

About Access Melbourne

This special entry scheme supports students who have faced unique circumstances throughout their schooling to gain entry into their preferred undergraduate degree at Melbourne. Learn more here.

Timeline

13 April

Applications open

22 May

Applications close

Week of 13 July

Application outcomes and partnerships announced

22 July

Mentee Preparation Workshop

July – November

Regular (at least 3 times) meetings with your mentor

Late November

Program concludes


How to apply

Applications are now closed.


Preparing for Mentoring LMS module

You will also need to complete the Preparing for Mentoring module on the LMS. To access this module, you will first need to enrol into the Careers and Employability LMS Community. Once you are in, you can access the Preparing for Mentoring module.

Melbourne Plus Recognition

From 2026, Career Mentoring is an eligible activity for Melbourne Plus – the University’s co-curricular recognition program that helps you build employability skills and earn verified digital credentials. By participating in career mentoring and submitting a short reflection, you can earn the Global Citizenship Melbourne Plus digital credential.

Melbourne Plus 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.

How do I get recognised for Melbourne Plus?

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.

Contact career-mentoring@unimelb.edu.au or learn more about Melbourne Plus recognition.

Frequently asked questions

  • The Access Melbourne special entry scheme supports students who have faced unique circumstances throughout their schooling to gain entry into their preferred undergraduate degree at Melbourne. To have been awarded an Access Melbourne place you needed to have indicated during the University admission process that you met the eligibility criteria and at least one special circumstance outlined here.

    If you’re a Narrm Scholar, you’re an Access Melbourne student.

  • Access Melbourne undergraduate students in their first year

    As the program runs annually, you’ll be able to take part from your second year. Eligible students will be contacted directly with information to apply. In the meantime, you can join the university’s networking platform, Ask Alumni, to connect with alumni for career support and guidance.

    Not an Access Melbourne undergraduate student

    If you didn't join the university under the Access Melbourne special entry scheme, you are not eligible for this program. Instead, we encourage you to:

    • Join the university’s online networking platform, Ask Alumni, to connect with alumni for career support and guidance.

  • If you meet the eligibility criteria for your faculty program too, you can apply for both. This will mean you may be matched with two mentors and must meet the requirements of two programs at the same time.

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

  • You will not be able to choose your mentor.

    Mentors participating in the program come from a diverse range of backgrounds. We match you 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.

    For questions before you are matched, contact us at access-connections@unimelb.edu.au.

  • Yes, it is possible. However, the aim of mentoring 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. You can include preferences in your application, but very specific criteria may limit your chance of being matched.

  • It’s expected that you meet your mentor at least 3 times during semester. Meetings can be 30 minutes or longer, depending on individual preferences and needs. You should schedule meetings at a time that suits you both. It’s preferable that you work around your mentor’s schedule. You can email your mentor to discuss the frequency of your meetings or discuss at your first meeting. Between meetings, you may want to reflect on your discussions and act on what you've learnt.

  • Discuss the format of your meetings in your first communication with your mentor. Meetings could be in-person, online or a combination of both. If you choose to meet via an online platform, we recommend using software such as Teams or Zoom. For in-person meetings, suggested meeting places could include:

    • on campus,
    • your mentor's place of work (during business hours),
    • library
    • a quiet cafe.

  • A successful mentoring partnership depends on your commitment to engage with your mentor.  We know that 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 two to meet with a mentor.
    • Initiating and maintaining the mentoring connection throughout the program. You should meet at least 3 times.
    • Regular and prompt communication with your 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 support resources available including:




Testimonials

"This has been an absolutely incredible program and I have learned so much. My mentor was extremely knowledgeable and I was extremely privileged to be able to discuss my future career and his own career which helped inform me in a myriad of ways. This program taught me so much about the industry I am intending to become part of and has helped me overcome obstacles in a unique and individually driven way!"
Anastasia Scarpaci, Mentee

"Fantastic mentor! Despite being outside of my field of expertise, my mentor encouraged me to more carefully consider aspects of my work I had not previously been given much guidance in, such as communication and networking. It was incredibly valuable to hear her perspective and have her look over documents I will use throughout my career (e.g. resume). She taught me how to both think back, with a learning portfolio documenting my past experience and think forward, with a 5-10 year strategic plan. I've come away from this program a more well-rounded individual and with practical skills I may not have gained for years."
Breana Galea, Mentee