University is one of the most rewarding journeys you’ll ever take, but it can also be a challenge. Whether it’s getting familiar with the campus, your course, or preparing for a new career, it’s always a good idea to get a little extra help. That’s where working with a mentor comes in.
A mentor is a person who provides advice and guidance to help you learn new skills and build your confidence. They can support you with anything from study skills to employment goals. Mentors also play an essential part in professional settings by helping you learn the basics of a new role. They could help you prep for a future promotion, get some great professional or personal development in or even navigate any issues that might arise at work.
Your mentor might work with you on a one-to-one basis or as part of larger groups, offering one-off sessions or long-term programs. It all depends on your individual needs and the mentorship program you choose.
Sounds complicated? It’s easy! We’ll talk through everything you need to know about mentorship. We’ll also cover all the different mentoring programs available to you. But first, what’s the difference between…
Coaching vs mentoring
There’s quite a bit of overlap between coaching and mentoring. Both involve clear communication, and each has the goal of helping you build your skills, knowledge, and experience. Still, there are some differences you should know.
Objectives
A coaching session usually has a clear objective in mind from the outset, such as teaching a new skill. With a mentoring approach, goals are usually set based on your needs.
Focus
Mentoring programs tend to be more holistic and general in their approach. Coaching sessions are hyper-focused on one area or issue.
Agenda
A qualified coach sets the agenda for their own sessions, whereas mentoring agendas are often (but not always) set by the mentee.
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications to become a mentor. Coaches are usually qualified trainers.
Voluntary
Coaches are usually in paid positions, whereas becoming a mentor is entirely voluntary.
Mentoring has the benefit of being less focused and structured than traditional coaching sessions. This gives you the opportunity to express your own ideas and get valuable support in a comfortable, informal environment. This can be just the right environment you need to expand your existing network, develop new skills and prepare for success in your future field.
Why is mentoring important for success?
A successful mentor guiding you through your educational and professional journey is a huge advantage. Just as workplace mentoring is essential when you’re starting a new role, having a mentor during your time at university can be invaluable. By building a mentor relationship, you’ll be able to:
- Get advice from people who’ve been there, done that
- Learn new skills for studying or landing a new role (or both!)
- Set personal, achievable goals that you can work toward over time
- Get constructive criticism (ouch!) that’s worth it for your personal plot development
- Grow your professional network and get scouted for a great job
- Get helpful feedback about your current progress and goals
- Gain experience to secure an internship or graduate role
- Prepare yourself to start and advance your career.
A mentorship program will help you build your skillset and gain real-world experience. The knowledge an experienced mentor provides will support you academically and professionally, providing new opportunities for personal growth in your life and career.
What are the different types of mentoring available?
We offer a range of mentorship programs for different kinds of students. Whether you want to improve your study skills, get ready for an interview, or build experience to prepare for a graduate role, we offer a mentorship program that can help. Here’s what we have on offer.
1. Uni Foundations
Our Uni Foundations mentorship program is perfect for if you’re brand new to Charles Sturt! When you register you’ll get connected with an experienced student who’ll provide advice and guidance about studying and living on campus. During this mentoring process, you’ll:
- Learn about our campus, events, and support systems
- Discover how to use uni computer systems and resources
- Build study skills and grow your confidence
- Meet your peers and grow your professional network.
This program is entirely online and will last for the first four weeks of your time at university. To be eligible, you’ll need to be a new student who’s recently enrolled.
2. Connecting to Industry
Charles Sturt’s Connecting to Industry program is for final-year students who’d like to prepare for career success in their industry.
In this course, you’ll connect with a current professional in your chosen field. Your career coach can answer any questions about your profession and offer personal and professional career advice, giving you the chance to develop your network while building valuable employability skills.
It doesn’t matter if you need business mentors for career growth, a data analyst to help you get involved in data analytics, or a mental health specialist to teach you about workplace culture in the psychology sector. There’s a mentor ready to put in time and effort to help you reach your goals.
This online mentoring program runs year-round and is available for all final-year students. Depending on your needs, you can opt for:
- One-off flash mentoring: A quick one-hour session to get valuable guidance and address specific concerns
- Sessional mentoring: Ongoing mentoring sessions on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis.
To find out more or ask questions about our industry mentoring program, feel free to email industrymentoring@csu.edu.au.
3. Reach P2P HDR Program
Our Reach P2P HDR Program helps students who are embarking on the first year of their higher degree research program at Charles Sturt.
In this course, you’ll be paired with a fellow student in your faculty. They’re not there to give you academic guidance; instead, they’ll act as a friendly face to support you as you navigate your research project.
Along the way, you’ll learn new skills from each other and grow your confidence as you become familiar with the requirements of your academic program. Find out more about becoming a mentee or mentor under the Reach P2P HDR Program.
4. Emerging Leaders
Last but not least, we also offer an Emerging Leaders mentoring program for students looking to develop leadership skills and build industry expertise.
This program will pair you with one of Charles Sturt University’s leaders, giving you the chance to learn from the very best. You’ll have the opportunity to grow your professional network while you discover new leadership techniques and tricks.
How to find a mentor?
If you’re ready to find a uni mentor, there’s a few ways to go about it. Here are three methods that we know work!
1: Enrol in a formal mentorship program
The easiest way to find a mentor is to enrol directly in a mentorship program. The whole process only takes a few minutes!
- Find the mentoring program that’s the right fit for your circumstances.
- Click ‘Join Now’ on the mentoring page and select ‘Mentee.’
- Sign in to your university account on the student portal.
- Fill out the details and enrol.
Once you’ve registered your interest, we’ll pair you with an experienced mentor who can help you set and work toward your career and business goals.
2: Get to know people on your course
Another way to find a mentor is to connect with people on the same course as you.
Attending relevant networking events and starting conversations with your coursemates isn’t just a great way to make friends. You’ll also have the chance to connect with other knowledgeable peers that you can learn from.
This approach is excellent for building a support network you can rely on during your study.
3: Reach out directly to inspiring people
Alternatively, you may choose to reach out to those who inspire you, whether that be an alumni, a working professional, or an industry expert.
You can spark up a conversation in person or send them an email. You can even message them on social media if you prefer. LinkedIn is ideal for getting in touch with professionals.
Of course, you won’t always find your perfect mentor this way. Sometimes, schedules don’t align, and your mentor may simply be too busy to offer support.
Still, don’t be discouraged by rejection. There are plenty of mentors out there and dozens of ways to connect with them. With luck and effort, you’ll find a valuable teacher who can offer advice to help you grow.
Summing up
Mentoring is a valuable way for you to learn new skills and boost your employment prospects.
A great mentor experience can help if you’re in a rut with your studying, finding it hard to get your foot in the door in your chosen industry, need support finding a graduate job, or simply want an ally who can help you navigate university life.
We always look to give our students the support they need. Ready to find your mentor match? Browse through all potential mentoring programs to find one that’s the best fit for your needs. Alternatively, feel free to get in touch if you have any more questions.
Which mentorship program should I join?
If you’re a new student, we recommend our Uni Foundations mentoring program. This is the perfect chance to build a mentorship relationship with an experienced student and learn the basics of uni life.
Can mentoring help me get career experience?
Absolutely. The more you can build your professional development skills and talk with an experienced mentor, the more opportunities you’ll have to get an internship or work placement.
We’ll also be on hand to help you with your career progression. Find out more about work experience and how we can help, or how a Charles Sturt internship can make our industry connections work for you.
How long does a mentorship program last?
That depends on the program you choose and your individual needs. Our Uni Foundations course lasts for a fixed four weeks. On the flip side, our Connecting to Industry program is completely flexible, and you can book single informal meetings or recurring sessions based on your needs.
You must be logged in to post a comment.