Learn more about the Student Peer Leader Network, their peer-to-peer careers and employability events and services, and how to become a peer leader.
Who are the peer leaders?
Student peer leaders are part of the Student Peer Leader Network.
They work alongside professional staff to:
- Deliver Careers and Employability services
- Enhance the student experience by providing a peer perspective
- Deliver events and activities tailored to the student community.
They are trained to provide advice, high-quality career information and guide you through your employability queries.
Click a picture to find out a little more about the peer leaders.
How can peer leaders help me?
Peers are available on Careers and Employability Zoom sessions and can help you with:
- Sharing resume and cover letter tips or show you how to get started
- Searching for jobs and internships using various tools and resources
- Taking a mock interview using the 'Interview Practice' tool
- Sharing tips for approaching employers, networking and creating your ‘elevator pitch’
- Preparing for (virtual) assessment centres
- Lots of other tips including navigating the Smart Resume and EmployMe online platforms.
To attend sessions, register via Careers Online to receive your Zoom link.
Events and activities run by peer leaders
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Melbourne Talks
Become more familiar with Australian culture and academic life and gain confidence communicating in English, while making friends with other students through fun, peer-led activities. Please visit Melbourne Talks for program information and dates.
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Career 'Zoom-in' with peers
‘Zoom-in’ for career conversations with our peer leaders and get advice and help navigating key employability tools and resources. To view session details and to register, visit Careers Online.
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Mock assessment centre
A practical assessment centre session designed for students to practice and engage in a simulated group activity. Gain firsthand experience in commonly assessed tasks, plus lots of tips on what assessors look for. To view session details and to register, visit Careers Online.
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Interview practice session
Participate in our virtual interview practice workshop and learn more about online recruitment. This interactive workshop is open to all students. To view session details and to register, visit Careers Online.
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Partnerships and collaborations
Student peer leaders also partner with other teams across the university to support various student initiatives relating to wellbeing, work rights and skill development. The free meal packs program is the most recent program supported by the Student Peer Leader Network and it aims to provide students in need with access to free food.
How can I become a peer leader?
Recruitment for Semester 1 will commence January 11th, 2021. Please log-on to Careers Online to view Student Peer Leader roles and the recruitment process. To apply for the Student Peer Leader role please complete the online application.
Contact us
For more information about the Student Peer Leader Network and the events, please email peer-leaders@unimelb.edu.au
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? I was motivated by the positive impact peer leaders has contributed to my life offering me valuable advice when I was in the midst of job applications. I admired their knowledge, kindness and patience towards all students which strongly encouraged me to join SPLN.
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? Being a peer leader has given me the opportunity to learn so many valuable new skills with the primary purpose of finding the best ways to share them. I love that we are given the opportunity to grow as individuals while simultaneously helping the wider university community.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? I adore all things theatre and I try to perform in, write and direct as many shows as I can around my studies.
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? It attracted me because I saw it as an opportunity to develop my own employability skills whilst helping and providing advice to my peers!
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? I’ve loved listening to and learning from the experiences of a diverse range of students.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? I’m a hardcore Survivor fan! I like to convince myself that I’d be great at strategising my way to the million, but I don’t think I’d actually last too long in the rough conditions!
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? I’d been active on campus throughout my undergraduate degree and was looking for a new way to be involved in university life. The Student Peer Leader Network offered an amazing opportunity to interact with a huge range of students from across the University as well as build upon my own professional skills.
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? I’ve loved being able to contribute to such a wide variety of projects and to have gained skills in so many different areas. From careers and employability, to project management and to digital communications, I’ve been equipped with professional skills that I’ll be able to use throughout my career.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? I’m passionate about education and ensuring everyone has the ability to cultivate and pursue their own passion for education regardless of their circumstances. Through my role at the Student Peer Leader Network, I gained the confidence and skills to take on leadership roles in a not-for-profit pursuing these aims and thus have done more to make a difference in this space.
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? I joined in order to give back to the student community that helped me in my university journey and to make an impact through programs for international students.
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? My favourite aspect of being a peer leader is that I am continuously learning from my seniors and peers and am part of a supportive team that feels like a family.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? I am very passionate about playing the violin and it has made me much more interested in classical music!
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? Two years ago, I met some peer leaders at the Leading the Way awards and networking night. Their passion for their work really motivated me to join the team.
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? I enjoy contributing to various projects, especially the ones that involve public speaking.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? My career passion is working with children and young people, which I’m fortunate to fulfill in my studies and professional pursuits.
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? I was motivated by the positive impact peer leaders has contributed to my life offering me valuable advice when I was in the midst of job applications. I admired their knowledge, kindness and patience towards all students which strongly encouraged me to join SPLN.
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? One aspect I have enjoyed most about being a peer leader is being able to learn and grow together with other like-minded peers from diverse backgrounds as well as being able to share that knowledge with a wide range of students.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? I have been working and interacting with students and colleagues throughout my university years. The experiences have made me realise the passion I had in helping and interacting with students and seeing that I am able to create a positive impact to them makes me feel content.
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? Given my experience as a National Recruitment Manager at UN Youth Australia, I had a strong understanding on what my organisation was looking for when recruiting for new volunteers. As a result, I was motivated to join the Student Peer Leader Network because I wanted to be on the other side of the recruitment process - where I could help students effectively present themselves through resumes and cover letters to score a part-time job, internship, and other types of jobs.
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? I have enjoyed reflecting and sharing some of my careers and employability milestones and setbacks to students. This role has made me more reflective of my experiences and I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing other student’s experiences as well.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? I am passionate about traveling, but considering the limitations posed by the current situation, I have been channeling all my energy into learning Spanish and interning at an Argentine sustainability consulting firm.
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? A desire to extend the skills and knowledge I've gained through volunteering drove me to the Student Peer Leader Network; to take these assets and use them to benefit the university community.
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? I’ve really enjoyed having interactions that have a positive impact on students. Knowing that I’ve been able to provide a student with an experience that will help them in the future has been very satisfying
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? I love mathematics! I know it’s not uncommon for people to be bored or intimidated by mathematics, but in my opinion the harsh exterior of calculations and notation can conceal the beautiful truths about the world that mathematics gives to us.
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? I joined the Student Peer Leader Network due to my experience with the university community and how it has supported me. I see this role as an opportunity to give back for all the support they have given me!
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? The most enjoyable part about being a peer leader is the connections you make and really seeing students take on your advice to pursue their goals. Furthermore, I also enjoyed having a range of diverse projects to work on within the role since it means that no day is the same.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? I am passionate about volunteering as I love spending my time with other people and making a difference as well. A strong interest I have is in science fiction, especially those explore human interactions with new technology.
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? I have always enjoyed community engagement and mentoring roles and so I was really attracted by the idea of giving back to the student community while building on my professional skills.
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? I have loved the training involved in the Student Peer Leader Network as it has really demonstrated how strong the support system is for this role.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? I love gardening! My house is slowly becoming a jungle as my obsession with indoor plants grows.
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? I am all about making the most of your time at university, and my university experience would not have been the same without the wide range of services available. I wanted to give back to the university community by sharing my student perspective and connecting students to the great services on offer.
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? I have enjoyed learning about the stories and experiences of other students, peer leaders and the broader team. I continue to be inspired by their skills and talents which motivate me to try new things and build upon my own skillset.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? As an aspiring research scientist, I am passionate about all things science! I’m currently working on a research project in microbiology which aims to understand marine bacteria and find new approaches to saving vital ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef.
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? I was drawn to join the SPLN because of the opportunity to work with my fellow peers to share advice and tips that would benefit our university community. I really wanted to be part of a team helping students navigate through university life more smoothly and continue exploring these resources myself.
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? It’s amazing how much I’ve learned as a Peer Leader from the program and my fellow peers by hearing everyones’ experiences.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? As an architecture student, my love for design and art is half of my personality. I love to put on some nice tunes in the background and get creative!
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? I found programs like the SPLN so valuable when I moved from interstate to study at Unimelb. I wanted to help other students find the same sense of belonging I did when navigating university for the first time.
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? My favourite thing about being a peer leader is the opportunity to meet so many interesting and unique students. I love hearing about university experiences different from my own and talking with students from degrees that I don't often cross paths with. I really enjoy being a part of connecting the wider student community at Unimelb.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? I'm completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in politics, after my studies I would like to work in environmental policymaking. Sustainability is a passion of mine, and I really enjoy finding second-hand or vintage clothing and then redesigning and sewing it into something new! I like to call this a 'thrift-flip'.
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? I joined the Student Peer Leader Network because I received a lot of wonderful guidance from more experienced students when I first started at university, so I wanted to give back to the university community by providing support and guidance to others. I also wanted to increase my employability and expand my skillset in a supportive environment.
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? I have really enjoyed the range of different workshops and events I have been involved with, from Melbourne Talks to working with Careers and Employability to run workshops. I’m always learning something new and meeting a diverse range of people!
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? I am passionate about challenging myself! I love learning and growing by trying new things and travelling to new places.
What motivated you to join the Student Peer Leader Network? I took advantage of some of the workshops and learning opportunities offered by Peer Leaders when I stared my degree, so I was excited to take up the opportunity to share my own knowledge and experience with other students!
What is one learning or an aspect you have enjoyed the most about being a peer leader? I've enjoyed working with people from all over the University community. It's sometime difficult to remember that there are many other students taking different subjects and at different levels of study and being a Peer Leader has been a unique opportunity to get to know the community.
If you could share one of your interests or passions, what would it be? I love building flatpack furniture! My record is 15 minutes to build a bookcase 🙂