FAQs - Alumni Student Mentoring

For mentees

How do I know if I'm eligible for the program?

Students enrolled at any Monash campus are eligible to apply if they are a penultimate or final year undergraduate student, or a graduate student.

Do I get to choose my mentor?

Our team selects the best mentor for you, based on your degree, areas of interest and your profile.

What if my mentor isn’t in the industry I want to work in?

In some cases, we are unable to match mentees with a mentor from their field of study or future career. It’s important to remember that a mentor from a different industry can still provide a valuable mentoring experience.

Mentoring isn’t just about connecting with someone who is interested in the same industry, you also have an opportunity to develop a broader perspective on career options and opportunities, while increasing your confidence and identifying gaps in the generic skills and knowledge that you will need to build a successful career.

What is the time commitment?

To get the most out of the program, mentees should dedicate approximately 3–4 hours to their role as a mentee over the two-month period. The time commitment for mentees includes:

• Participate in an online induction event in the first week.
• Participate in two video meetings with your mentor during the program. You will need to prepare for each meeting.
• Meetings are to be supported by regular contact via the mentoring platform, email or phone.

How long does the program go for?

The program runs for two months, starting early September and concluding at the end of October.

When will I know who my mentor is?

The process of matching mentors and mentees takes some time. You will be notified via email when you have been matched with your mentor. This will be a few days before the program commences.

What if I apply and then decide I don’t want to be part of the program?

We have a rigorous recruitment process when selecting students into the program. We understand your circumstances may change and you may be unable to participate in the program.

You will need to let us know as soon as possible, by emailing alumnistudentmentoring@monash.edu so we can make sure another student can be matched with your mentor.

How to apply to be a mentee in the program?

All eligible students will receive an email with a link to the application form. Applications open in July each year.

What is Flash Mentoring and how do I get involved?

Flash mentoring is a type of professional development where a mentor and mentee have a short focused conversation in order to address a specific question or goal the mentee may have. It’s usually a style of mentoring that is brief, such as one to two sessions. It’s aimed at providing the mentee with direct guidance, advice and resources that are relevant to their query.

If you’d like to be involved in flash mentoring, there is nothing you need to do. The flash mentoring option will open in Chronus when the program concludes, and you will be automatically included. If you would like to connect with a specific mentor, all you need to do is, log into Chronus, send an alumni a message through the mentoring platform Chronus, and you can both arrange a time to meet online.

For mentors

Who is eligible to be a mentor?

Anyone who is an alumni of Monash University is eligible to be a mentor. It’s a virtual global program for Monash alumni.

Do I get to pick my mentee?

Our team selects the best mentee for you, based on your degree, your work industry, areas of interest and short profile.

Can I be a mentor if I have recently graduated?

Absolutely! Recent graduates will have valuable knowledge and experience in moving into the workforce and gaining employment that will be beneficial to current students.

What if my mentee isn’t studying the industry I am working in?

In some cases, we are unable to match mentors with a mentee from their current industry. It’s important to remember that you can provide a valuable mentoring experience to your mentee, regardless of their future career.

Mentoring isn’t just about connecting with someone who is interested in the same industry, you also have an opportunity to support your mentee to develop a broader perspective on career options and opportunities and identify gaps in the generic skills and knowledge that they will need to build a successful career.

Do I get paid to be a mentor?

This mentor position is voluntary and an opportunity to get involved with the Monash community.

What is the time commitment?

We anticipate mentors will dedicate 2–3 hours to the two-month program to successfully support their mentees. This includes:

• Attend and participate in an online induction event in the first week.
• Participate in three to two video meetings during the program.
• Meetings are to be supported by regular contact via the mentoring platform, email or phone.
• Assist your mentee in expanding their professional networks.

Do I need a Working with Children Check?

You will only need a Working with Children Check if your mentee is under 18 years old. We will reach out if you need one.

How do I know what to talk to my mentee about?

We have a mentoring platform that steps you and your mentee through a connection plan. The connection plan acts as a guide with suggestions on what your meetings can focus on, for example, goal-setting.

You can follow the connection plan or discuss other topics. Your mentee should be driving the connection and letting you know what they want to get out of your mentoring relationship. We also provide a mentor handbook to help support you with your mentor journey.

How to apply to be a mentor in the program?

If you’d like to be a mentor in the program, we request mentors put in a written application. When applications are open, a link will be available on the Alumni to Student Mentoring page. Applications open in late July each year.

What if I apply and then decide I don’t want to be part of the program?

We understand your circumstances may change and you may be unable to participate in the program. Please let us know as soon as possible by emailing alumnistudentmentoring@monash.edu, so we can make sure another mentor can be matched with your mentee.

What is Flash Mentoring and how do I get involved?

If you’d like to be involved in flash mentoring, there is nothing you need to do. The flash mentoring option will open when the program concludes, and you will automatically be included unless you opt-out. If a mentee would like to connect with you, they will send you a message through the mentoring platform Chronus, and you can both arrange a time to meet online.