Industry Mentor Program Overview
Through the MySydney & E12 Professional Mentoring Program, accomplished industry professionals volunteer to mentor a small group of equity students as they begin to transition from university to the workplace.
As their Industry Mentor, you will support them to explore career aspirations and goals, develop employability skills and build networks both with industry and with other students at university.
You will organise three group mentoring sessions, as well as an optional one-on-one mentoring session with each student. There is also an optional Program Welcome in the University of Sydney's historic Great Hall that we encourage all Industry Mentors and students based in Sydney to attend.
Throughout your experience as a volunteer, you will receive training and guidance from our experienced staff to support you.
Volunteering is an opportunity to stay connected with our University of Sydney community, make a positive impact on our future generation of Australian leaders, build your networks and gain a personal sense of satisfaction by giving back and empowering students from equity backgrounds.
As their Industry Mentor, you will support them to explore career aspirations and goals, develop employability skills and build networks both with industry and with other students at university.
You will organise three group mentoring sessions, as well as an optional one-on-one mentoring session with each student. There is also an optional Program Welcome in the University of Sydney's historic Great Hall that we encourage all Industry Mentors and students based in Sydney to attend.
Throughout your experience as a volunteer, you will receive training and guidance from our experienced staff to support you.
Volunteering is an opportunity to stay connected with our University of Sydney community, make a positive impact on our future generation of Australian leaders, build your networks and gain a personal sense of satisfaction by giving back and empowering students from equity backgrounds.
Becoming an Industry Mentor
Industry Mentors are accomplished industry professionals from the University of Sydney's worldwide alumni and supporter community.
You might be an early career professional, who has graduated within the past 2-3 years, and successfully transitioned to the workplace. Alternatively, you might be an experienced industry leader in your field.
Because you will be working with students from equity backgrounds, we seek professionals who value social inclusion in education and the workplace and are able to approach these students from a strengths-based perspective.
You should have cross-cultural competency skills and be interested in working with students from a variety of different backgrounds, such as students who grew up in rural and regional Australia, culturally and linguistically diverse students, students living with a disability, students with carer responsibilities and students experiencing financial challenges.
You will receive tailored training and support to understand the strengths, challenges and needs of students from these backgrounds. You aren't expected to be an expert, but rather someone who values social inclusion and aims to treat others with respect.
You may be based in Sydney, or anywhere else in the world. Both students and mentors will be given the option to complete the program either in-person or online, and are matched accordingly.
We ask you to share information about your work experience and nominate up to three preferences for industry areas you have worked in, and would feel comfortable mentoring students in. Examples include Arts, Culture and Creative Industries, Banking and Financial Services, Engineering, Government and Defence, Healthcare and Medical, Legal and more.
The MySydney & E12 Scheme
This program is part of the University of Sydney's MySydney and E12 Scheme, which recognises equity students who have a strong motivation for learning, a record of community leadership, and high potential to succeed.
MySydney and E12 Scholars may have experienced financial hardship, grew up in an area of socio-economic disadvantage, or attended a rural or regional school. By awarding them with a scholarship package, the University of Sydney aims to provide practical support for these future Australian leaders to fulfil their potential.
Meet our E12 Scholars
Jenae Tioni Madden
Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) and Bachelor of Arts (Politics) student.
"I am a regional student, first in my family and my high school was one of the worst ranked schools in the state. Not too many from my school were after an ATAR, and even less went to University.
"During Year 12, two University of Sydney Student Ambassadors came to my school and it was the first time I had seen or even heard of the University of Sydney. I had just planned to go to my closest city to study but I made it my goal: if I was going to make the leap to University I was going to go to the best in the country.
"I chose to study Media and Communications because I loved storytelling and writing. I know without E12 I would not have come to the University of Sydney and been given the world class education and career opportunities I have had here.
"I am currently working as a producer at the ABC while I study, and I dream of taking my world class education and giving it back to my community. I hope to become a journalist serving rural Australia."
Understanding MySydney & E12 Scholars
This program was co-designed by E12 Scholars with an ethos of students as partners, and we are proud to say over 22% of our cohort contributed to developing this program.
As such, it is tailored to their strengths, challenges and needs.
While they would like to let you know that every student is unique, some strengths that many MySydney and E12 Scholars share are:
- They are driven, ambitious and passionate about succeeding in their education.
- They have a strong record of community leadership and desire to be involved in co-curricular activities.
- They are socially, economically and/or culturally diverse, which brings different insights to education and workplaces.
Many MySydney and E12 Scholars experience challenges to their university studies and career that are caused by:
- Financial disadvantage.
- Less networks, making it more difficult to explore potential career pathways, make connections and access the informal job market.
- Time constraints, such as long commute times to university or struggling to balance work with academic achievements.
They are most interested in talking to you about landing first jobs, career choice and pathways, and how to network. They would also highly value the opportunity to get to know other MySydney and E12 Scholars and build social connections at university.
Program Commitments
To create an engaging and supportive mentoring experience for all program participants, we ask Industry Mentors to agree to:
- Remain in regular contact with students and staff involved in the program through our online mentoring platform.
- Organise three group mentoring sessions, and an optional one-on-one with each student.
- Complete a one-hour online training session.
- Prepare for each mentoring session using our guided resources, and submit a short attendance list and reflection afterwards.
- Abide by our program ethos of respect, understanding, appreciation and inclusion for all program participants, including students, staff and your fellow Industry Mentors.
Group mentoring sessions will be held once per month at the start of August, September, and October. Within the timeline set out below, we ask that students and mentors work together to find a mutually suitable time, date and location.
Timeline
Timeline
| Semester 2, Wk1 | 6 Aug | Program Welcome Reception |
| Wk 2/3 | 11 - 24 Aug | Session 1: Career Exploration and Planning |
| Wk 5/6 | 1- 14 Sep | Session 2: Navigating Workplace Culture |
| Wk 10/11 | 7- 19 Oct | Session 3: Recruitment, Interviewing and Resumes |
| Wk 12 onwards | 20 Oct - 14 Nov |
Optional one-on-one and other networking opportunities |
For questions and further information, please contact the Careers' Centre at careers.information@sydney.edu.au.
You can also access more information for prospective volunteers here.
You can also access more information for prospective volunteers here.