STEM Career Mentoring
About STEM Career Mentoring
The Career Mentoring Program connects alumni industry mentors from a breadth of sectors to STEM students looking for guidance as they make decisions about their careers.
The program runs from July until the end of November, and requires mentor and mentee pairs to meet at least three times during the mentoring period. Mentors and students are matched according to career interests and experience.
Applications for the 2026 program are now open.
If you have questions about the program, please contact the mentoring team at career-mentors@unimelb.edu.au.
Information for Mentors
We are seeking alumni from the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Information Technology; Faculty of Science; and the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences with at least one year of industry experience and who are currently working, to share their professional insights and support students with the transition from university into their chosen career.
The Career Mentoring Program allows you to enhance your leadership skills and connect with the next generation of graduates.
Key program dates
- 20 April: Mentor applications open
- 8 June: Matching commences
- Week commencing 13 July: Students and alumni will be notified about the outcome of their application and introduced to their partner via email
- Week commencing 20 July: Mentor Preparation Workshop
- July - November: The program runs for 5 months
- 13 August: Networking night for matched participants
- End of November: Program concludes
Time commitment
Mentors and students are expected to have at least three meetings during the program between July and November. The exact nature and frequency of these meetings can be determined between the mentor and student and may include going for a walk, informal meetings over coffee, attending a public lecture together, and much more.
Applications for the 2026 program are now open.
For more information and eligibility, please refer to the Mentor FAQs.
If you have questions about the program, please contact the mentoring team at career-mentors@unimelb.edu.au.
FAQs for Mentors
Have your mentoring questions answered here or contact us for any further assistance.
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- Contribute to the development of the next generation of science, engineering and information technology professionals
- Develop a fresh perspective on your career
- Extend your professional network
- Help to shape the future of your profession and community
- Connect with the next generation of graduates
- Reconnect or develop closer links with the University of Melbourne, ranked #1 in Australia
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20 April: Mentor applications for the program open
June: Matching Process
Week commencing 13 July: Students and alumni will be notified about the outcome of their application and introduced to their partners via email
Week commencing 20 July: Preparation events will be held for matched mentors and mentees
13 August: Networking night (in person for local participants)
July - November: Students are encouraged to organise at least 3 meetings with their mentors. These can take place in person or online
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As a mentor you are expected to support and guide your mentee in ways that are appropriate for their field. Meetings with your student might include:
- Providing a sounding board regarding career planning and development
- Discussing the benefits of extracurricular opportunities
- Introducing your student to colleagues and professional network
- Work shadowing if appropriate (observing)
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A mentor is someone who is:
- Willing and eager to listen
- Enthusiastic, yet honest
- Open to learning and self-reflection
- Happy to share experiences, both positive and negative
- Supports and listens rather than coaching or lecturing
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To join the Career Mentoring program as a mentor you must:
- Have graduated from the University of Melbourne.
- Currently working/practicing in the industry.
- Have a minimum of one year professional work experience.
- Not be currently employed by the University of Melbourne in any role that influences the academic outcomes of students.
- Not be in any position or situation that may be deemed to cause a conflict of interest affecting the results of this program.
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Mentors and students are expected to meet at least 3 times between July and end of November. The exact nature and frequency of these meetings can be determined between the mentor and student and may include an informal catch-up over coffee, attending a public lecture or industry event together, and more.
Mentors are also encouraged to attend on-campus program events where possible with their student mentees.
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Mentors are supported through program preparation events, online resources, and ongoing assistance from the Mentoring Team throughout the program.
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Mentoring is a voluntary role and mentors are not paid; however, many mentors tell us they gain valuable professional insight, connection and satisfaction from the experience.
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We will match you with a student based on commonality in your applications. Best efforts will be made to fulfil your preferences but not all preferences can be guaranteed.
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No, we will match you with a student taking into consideration the preferences and interests you have provided on your application form. Best efforts will be made to fulfil your preferences but not all preferences can be guaranteed.
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The scheduling of mentor/student meetings is the responsibility of the student and needs to be scheduled at a location and time suitable for both parties. However, it is preferable that students work around the mentor’s schedule. Please note, there is no requirement for mentors to meet students on campus.
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Yes. Places in this program are restricted to those that are eligible to apply, and to those that are compatible with the available students. Unfortunately, not all applications will be successful. We are happy to discuss your suitability for the program with you in person.
For further information, please contact the team at career-mentors@unimelb.edu.au.
Volunteering as a career mentor offers a unique opportunity to give back, grow professionally and make a lasting difference.
To understand the impact firsthand, explore what previous mentors have said about their experience in the program.
Mentoring was a genuinely rewarding experience—it was great to connect with fellow alumni and help students prepare for the workforce. I aimed to provide what I never received myself: honesty, transparency, and guidance to be future-fit and ready for real-world challenges.
Watching her gain clarity, grow more confident in her decisions, and take concrete steps toward her career aspirations has been incredibly fulfilling. This program is not just about guiding the next generation—it’s about closing the gap between academia and the workplace, creating a cycle of support that benefits every participant. As mentors, we get to revisit our own career journeys, gain fresh perspectives from young talent, and play a small but meaningful role in shaping the future of our industries.
I really enjoy the mentoring program because it give me opportunity of help my mentee and see her evolution during the program. Also it was a great opportunity for my to learn about mentoring and value my own career path.
The mentoring experience was very rewarding. It was great to connect with students, learn about their aspirations, and have the opportunity to support them in a meaningful way.
Being a mentor in the UniMelb Career Mentoring program was a really rewarding experience. The mentees were engaged, curious, and great to talk to, and it was genuinely satisfying to help them gain clarity and confidence about their career paths. The program is flexible, well run, and easy to fit around work, making it a simple way to give back and share real industry insight. I’d highly recommend it to any alumni looking to make a positive impact without a huge time commitment.
I thoroughly enjoyed the program. Despite a busy work and life schedule, it was a rewarding, two-way journey of learning and sharing experiences. I would strongly encourage fellow alumni to participate as mentors, it's a meaningful way to give back while gaining fresh perspectives.
When time and commitments allow, mentoring becomes a powerful two-way journey, connecting with the next generation, sharing lived experience, and learning from each other.
Mentoring with the University of Melbourne has been a fantastic opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills outside the workplace, especially valuable for those in technical roles where management exposure can be limited. It’s also a meaningful way to give back to the University and, most importantly, to support students and the next generation of professionals we all once were. I found the experience incredibly rewarding and would highly encourage other alumni to get involved as mentors.
Participating as a mentor has been a highly fulfilling experience. The program is well-structured, and the conversations have been both insightful and mutually enriching. I encourage other alumni to get involved! It’s a powerful way to contribute to our community while gaining fresh perspectives.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience as a mentor in the STEM mentoring program. It was incredibly rewarding to support my mentee’s professional development and to contribute to the broader alumni community. The program provided meaningful opportunities for connection, learning, and mutual growth. I highly encourage other alumni to participate as mentors in future rounds. It is a valuable and fulfilling way to give back and to make a positive impact on someone’s career journey.
This program has been a truly awesome experience for me. I had the honour of being paired with two current students who share a similar background, and they both demonstrated a fantastic proactive attitude and a strong growth mindset. It has been incredibly rewarding to mentor them and share my own experiences. Overall, this mentoring program not only helps me stay connected with other alumni and the university, but also supports my own development by strengthening my networking, communication, and mentoring skills. I would highly recommend other alumni to take part in this meaningful initiative.
Mentoring through this program was an incredibly fulfilling experience. I had the chance to review my mentee’s CV and provide practical feedback, which he took onboard and believe helped boost his confidence. I also invited him to my workplace for a site visit, giving him real-world exposure to how projects operate and see technical delivery in person. He was very appreciative of these opportunities, and seeing his enthusiasm reminded me why giving back matters. If anyone is considering becoming a mentor, I highly encourage it. You’ll not only help shape someone’s career but also gain a sense of purpose and connection that stays with you through your alma mater.
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