STEM Career Mentoring
The Career Mentoring Program (previously known as 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 STEM Career Mentoring?
Mentoring is an informal partnership where an experienced industry 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 for the 2026 program have closed. Partnership announcements will be made mid-July.
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
STEM Career Mentoring 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 mentor. It can be either in-person or virtually.
How to apply
Applications open in Semester 1, and eligible and successful applicants will be matched with an industry 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.
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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- 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
- Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering and IT
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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 13 April
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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 22 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 13 July
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Application outcomes and partnerships announced
- Week commencing 22 July
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Mentee Preparation Workshop
- July–November
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Regular (at least monthly) meetings with mentor
- Thursday 13 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
Melbourne Plus Recognition
From 2026, Career Mentoring is now an eligible activity for Melbourne Plus—the University’s cocurricular 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.
Learn more about Melbourne Plus recognition for career mentoring.
What do students say about their mentoring experience?
Yufei, Master of Biotechnology
“The mentoring program has been a wonderful opportunity to connect with an expert in my field and gain a clearer understanding of the industry, future career paths, and how to find the right job. Beyond the professional support, my mentor, also acted as a “mental mentor” throughout the year. During this intensive project period, I was often overwhelmed with assignments or faced challenges, and our conversations always helped me see things from a new perspective. She made me feel supported, encouraged, and truly uplifted. I’m very grateful for this program and would highly recommend it to other students.”
Thomas, Master of Mechanical Engineering
“The mentoring program was really valuable in understanding how best to translate what you do in university to a professional setting. it is great to hear from a person in industry to understand what employers look for and what opportunities are offered.”
Ryan, Bachelor of Science
“My mentor taught me plenty of things we could do apart from university-related curriculum to gain a better impression, such as learning a software. Besides knowing more about the nuances of the career discipline I was looking for, being in the program has helped me navigate as I apply for various opportunities and network with others. We often touch base with each other about general career-related things I had been doing in the past few weeks, which was really motivating.”
Jacinta, Master of Biomedical Engineering
“Participating in the mentoring program helped me gain clarity about the engineering job landscape, especially in understanding role titles, career pathways, and what is expected in early-career positions. My mentor’s advice on engineering-specific resumes and the importance of project work was incredibly valuable. I would definitely recommend this program to other students who want guidance, insight and a real-world perspective from someone with industry experience. We work so hard to present ourselves professionally, but it’s easy to overlook the small yet important details.”
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 STEM Career Mentoring 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.
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As long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements you can apply for, and complete, the program multiple times.
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.
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If the program is oversubscribed, we will prioritise matching for:
- Students in their final year;
- Students who have not completed the program previously
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.