STEM Industry Mentoring Program
The STEM Industry Mentoring Program connects Science, Engineering and IT students with alumni mentors and industry professionals within the University of Melbourne community.
What is the STEM Industry Mentoring Program?
The STEM Industry Mentoring Program is an annual career-based mentoring program. It connects Science, Engineering and IT students with alumni mentors and industry professionals within the University community.
Mentoring is an informal partnership where an experienced mentor provides guidance and support to a current University of Melbourne student. Meetings focus on career planning and making the most of your time at the University.
The program aims to provide students with increased confidence in career decision-making and a sense of direction for transitioning into employment or further study.
Applications closed 5pm Friday 9 May.
Why do you need a mentor?
Mentoring is a powerful tool for you to make connections in industry and enhance your employment outcomes. It provides you with insights into the professional world and helps you to expand your knowledge of career options and plan for life after study.
Being mentored is a great way to:
- Find out about alternative career paths and options post-study
- Learn from a professional about how to successfully adjust to the working world
- 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 job or graduate admission by developing a professional CV and practising your interviewing technique
- Be more informed about graduate study and career options.
Program structure
The STEM Industry Mentoring Program is an annual program that runs throughout Semester 2. Successful applicants are matched with a mentor, whom they meet in person or online at least 3 times over the course of the program.
The frequency, length, and format of meetings are negotiable with your mentor. Participants sign off on a mentoring agreement which outlines your proposed meeting schedule and mentoring goals.
Participants are provided with resources and training to enhance their mentoring experience, and may have the opportunity to meet other mentors and mentees through networking and professional development events.
- Application
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Semester 1
Check your eligibility before submitting your application. If you're accepted into the program, you'll receive an email detailing the next steps.
- Preparation module
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To make the most of the mentoring experience, complete the compulsory Preparing for Mentoring LMS module.
- Matching
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Semester 2
We are commited to match all accepted mentees. However, please note that matching is not guaranteed, as it depends on the availability of mentors in your area.
- Networking night
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Once you are paired with a mentor, you will be welcomed to our Networking Night, where you can connect with like-minded peers and industry professionals!
- Mentoring
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During Semester 2, you are expected to initiate and schedule at least 3 meetings with your mentors. It can be either in-person or virtually.
How to apply
Applications generally open in Semester 1, and eligible and successful applicants will be matched with a more experienced mentor in Semester 2 each year.
We cannot guarantee all students who apply for this program will be matched with a mentor. We will endeavour to match as many students as possible to mentors.
Applications closed 5pm Friday 9 May.
Matching process
When matching you with a mentor we will take into consideration:
- Your personal preferences – recorded via the application form
- Whether your preferences match with registered mentors
- Your motivations for participating in the program
- Your level of commitment to the program.
However, due to mentor availability, there is no guarantee that all your preferences will be met.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, students must be over 18 years old, and enrolled in one of the below listed eligible courses during Semester 2 for their respective year.
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- Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering and IT
- Master of Biomedical Engineering
- Master of Computer Science
- Master of Chemical Engineering
- Master of Civil Engineering
- Master of Digital Infrastructure Engineering
- Master of Energy Systems
- Master of Electrical Engineering
- Master of Engineering (all specialisations)
- Master of Engineering Structures
- Master of Engineering Management
- Master of Environmental Engineering
- Master of Environmental Systems Engineering
- Master of Industrial Engineering
- Master of Information Systems
- Master of Information Technology
- Master of Mechanical Engineering
- Master of Mechatronics Engineering
- Master of Software Engineering
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Bachelor Degree
- Either second or third year of the Bachelor of Science
- Either second or third year of the Bachelor of Agriculture
- Either third of fourth year of the Bachelor of Science (Extended)
Master's Degree
- Master of Agricultural Sciences
- Master of Biotechnology
- Master of Climate Science
- Master of Data Science
- Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation
- Master of Environment
- Master of Environmental Science
- Master of Food and Packaging Innovation
- Master of Food Science
- Master of Geography
- Master of Geoscience
- Master of Science (Bioinformatics)
- Master of Science (BioSciences)
- Master of Science (Chemistry)
- Master of Science (Earth Sciences)
- Master of Science (Epidemiology)
- Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics)
- Master of Science (Physics)
- Master of Urban Horticulture
- Master of Veterinary Studies
- Master of Industrial Research (Chemistry)
- Master of Philosophy Agricultural Sciences
- Master of Philosophy Science
- Master of Philosophy Veterinary Science
- Master of Veterinary Science
Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Sciences
- Graduate Certificate in Arboriculture
- Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Planning and Management
- Graduate Certificate in Environment
- Graduate Certificate in Food Science
- Graduate Certificate in Garden Design
- Graduate Certificate in Green Infrastructure
- Graduate Certificate in Professional Skills for Scientists
- Graduate Certificate in Science
- Graduate Certificate in Science (Advanced)
- Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care
- Graduate Certificate in Urban Horticulture
- Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Sciences
- Graduate Diploma in Environment
- Graduate Diploma in Food Science
- Graduate Diploma in Foundational Data Science
- Graduate Diploma in Science
- Graduate Diploma in Science (Advanced)
- Graduate Diploma in Urban Horticulture
- Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Professional Leadership and Management
Doctorate
- Doctor of Agricultural Science
- Doctor of Philosophy Agricultural Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy Indigenous Knowledge
- Doctor of Philosophy Science
- Doctor of Philosophy Veterinary Science
- Doctor of Science
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
- Doctor of Veterinary Science
Key dates
- Monday 17 March
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Applications open
Check your eligibility before submitting your application. If you are accepted into the program, you will receive an email detailing the next steps. -
Mentoring Team to review applications
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Complete ‘Preparing for Mentoring’ module
To make the most of the mentoring experience, we strongly encourage you to complete the Preparing for Mentoring LMS module. - Friday 9 May
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Applications close 5pm
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Matching
We are committed to match all accepted mentees. However, please note that matching is not guaranteed, as it depends on the availability of mentors in your area. - Week commencing 14 July
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Application outcomes and partnerships announced
- Week commencing 21 July
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Mentee Preparation Workshop
- July–November
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Regular (at least monthly) meetings with mentor
- Thursday 14 August
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Networking night
Once you are paired with a mentor, you will be welcomed to our Networking night, where you can connect with like-minded peers and industry professionals. - By end of month November
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Program concludes
What do students say about their mentoring experience?
Emilie, Master of Environmental Systems Engineering
"The Mentoring Program helped me understand better the expectations in the workplace after the Master, as well as prepare for job search and interviews. I was very happy to be able to talk with a former alumni who had work experience, and I highly encourage other students to join the program!"
Yun, Master of Mechatronics Engineering
"Meeting professionals from the industry isn't always straightforward, especially for international students and those with less relevant experiences. University provides this program to foster students with great industry insights and wonderful opportunities to create connection with experts in the fields. It's a wonderful start for me to step out from the campus and step on the pathway to future career. I really appreciate the chance to make this connection with my mentor."
Roisin, Bachelor of Science
"My mentor was very helpful and patient in explaining the many steps to reaching my desired career. The support and encouragement from them were also very appreciated. They opened my eyes to the possibility of a similar but different career path than my current one which I will continue to keep in mind. All in all, it felt like an enriching and professional experience that allowed me to have close contact and communication with an industry professional that has knowledge of my desired career."
Feiya, Graduate Diploma in Environment
"The mentoring experience provided a very unique opportunity for me to connect with a more experienced person who was working in a field and industry of interest. In particular, I am very grateful to my mentor who shared her career/graduate experience and provided solid advice on how to navigate different working environments and work expectations, as well as providing insights to the skills and knowledge that are beneficial to develop as a student. My mentor and I still keep in touch, and I think our ongoing mentor/mentee relationship is a testament to the success of this program."
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
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Only students who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for a mentor in this program. We cannot guarantee all students who apply for this program will be matched with a mentor. We will endeavour to match as many students as possible to mentors.
To be eligible for the STEM Industry Mentoring Program students need to:
- Be over 18 years old
- Submit an application before the application closing date
- Be enrolled in one of the listed eligible courses during Semester 2 of the respective year.
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This program runs annually. Please wait until you meet the eligibility criteria before applying. In the meantime, you might consider joining the Ask Alumni program for additional guidance and support.
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Your academic year status is based on the number of total passed credits. Each year of study is equivalent to 100 passed credits. For example, to be considered a second-year student, you need to have accumulated at least 100 total passed credits; for a third-year status, you need at least 200 total passed credits.
Matching process
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We are committed to match all accepted mentees. However, please note that matching is not guaranteed, as it depends on the availability of mentors.
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You will not be able to choose your mentor.
Each year we have a pool of volunteer mentors from a diverse range of backgrounds. We match students and mentors based on preferences, including industry, study area, gender and any other criteria indicated.
If your preferences do not match the available volunteers or you did not submit a detailed application, you may not be matched with a mentor.
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Yes, it is possible. However, the purpose of the mentoring relationship is to broaden your understanding of various career options and the professional world. You may still gain valuable insights from mentors outside your preferred field, so we encourage you to keep an open mind.
While you can specify preferences on your application form, please be aware that highly specific criteria might reduce your chances of being matched.
Mentoring experience
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Once matched, it is expected that you initiate at least 3 meetings with your mentor during semester. Meetings can be 30 minutes or longer, depending on the individual preferences. You may email your mentor to discuss the frequency of your meetings, this can be negotiated at your first meeting.
Between your meetings with your mentor, you will likely want to take some time to reflect on your discussions and to try to put some of the learnings or advice into action.
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The success of a mentoring partnership is dependent on a mentee's commitment to engage with their mentor.
Students who wish to participate as a mentee need to commit to:
- Being available during semester two to meet with a mentor
- Taking responsibility for initiating and maintaining the mentoring connection throughout the semester
- Meeting at least 3 times during semester and setting up these meetings with your mentor
- Consider topics of discussion and questions before each meeting
- Be punctual to meetings
- Communicate regularly and promptly with mentor (based on mentoring agreement)
- Honour commitments
- Keep shared information confidential
- A relationship that is built on mutual trust, respect and professionalism
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The format of the meetings (in person/online or a combination of both) is to be discussed in the initial communication. Should you choose to meet via an online platform, we recommend utilising web conferencing software such as Skype and Zoom.
Mentees: you should schedule these meetings with your mentor at times that you both agree on.
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To help you make the most out of the mentoring program, you are encouraged to complete the 'Preparing for Mentoring' module to get the most out of the program.