Career Mentoring
Are you interested in understanding more about what life will be like once you graduate? Would you like to get more advice and guidance about how to begin your career?
What is Education Career Mentoring?
Education Career Mentoring is a career-based mentoring program, running for the first time in 2026. It connects Master of Education, Master of TESOL and Master of Modern Languages Education students with alumni mentors and industry professionals within the University community.
Mentoring is an informal partnership where an experienced mentor provides guidance and support to a current University of Melbourne student. Meetings focus on career planning and making the most of your time at the University.
The program aims to provide students with increased confidence in career decision-making and a sense of direction for transitioning into employment or further study.
Applications are now closed for 2026. Application outcomes and partnerships will be announced mid-July, 2026
Why join the program?
Mentoring is a powerful tool for you to make connections in industry and enhance your employment outcomes. It provides you with insights into the professional world and helps you to expand your knowledge of career options and plan for life after study. The one-to-one mentoring structure fosters relationships and offers the opportunity to discuss your career aspirations, questions and concerns. Your mentor is there to support you with advice and guidance.
Being mentored is a great way to:
- Find out about career paths, industries or further study options that align with your current experience and future ambitions
- Learn from a professional about how to navigate and thrive in the working world, whether you’re entering it for the first time or building on existing experience
- Develop or refine your career plan so your goals, values and professional identity are aligned
- Strengthen your confidence in networking, career direction, leadership capabilities, and professional communication skills
- Enhance your prospects for new roles or career progression by developing a strong, professional CV,
and practising your interviewing technique
Program structure and matching process
Education Career Mentoring will run in Semester 2, 2026.
When matching mentors and mentees, we look at the preferred career and interest areas of both individuals and match accordingly. Key program features include:
- 5-month commitment running from July to November
- Mentoring pairs are expected to meet (online or in-person) at least 3 times over the course of the
program - Frequency, length and format of meetings are discussed at the first mentoring meeting
- Resources and training including a Mentee Preparation Workshop are provided to support you throughout the program.
When matching you with a mentor we’ll take into consideration:
- Whether your preferences match with available mentors
- Your motivations for participating in the program
- Your level of commitment to the program, such as completion of the Preparing for Mentoring LMS
module
Please note: Selection of students to participate in the Career Mentoring Program is at the discretion of the Faculty of Education. The Faculty has the right to, at its sole discretion, terminate or revoke the invitation to participate. A mentoring partnership cannot always be guaranteed.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for Education Career Mentoring if you are a current FoE student and are enrolled in one of the following degrees:
- Master of Education
- Master of TESOL, or;
- Master of Modern Languages Education
How to apply
Understand more about career mentoring by completing this short, online module. You are required to achieve
80% in the module quiz to progress to the next stage.
We cannot guarantee all students who apply for this program will be matched with a mentor. We will endeavour
to match as many students as possible to mentors.
Key dates 2026
- Monday 13 April
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Applications open to eligible students
- Friday 22 May
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Applications close at 5pm
Note: Places are limited. If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close applications earlier than the advertised date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
- Week commencing 13 July
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Application outcomes and partnerships announced
- Week commencing 20 July
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Mentee Preparation Workshop
- July - November
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Regular meetings with mentor (recommended at least monthly)
- November
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Program concludes
Melbourne Plus recognition
From 2026, Career Mentoring is an eligible activity for Melbourne Plus – the University’s co-curricular recognition program that helps you build employability skills and earn verified digital credentials. By participating in career mentoring and submitting a short reflection, you can earn the Global Citizenship Melbourne Plus digital credential.
Learn more about Melbourne Plus recognition for career mentoring.
Frequently asked questions
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You will not be able to choose your mentor.
Volunteer mentors participating in the program come from diverse backgrounds. We match students and mentors based on preferences, including industry, study area, or any other criteria indicated. If your preferences don’t available volunteers, you may not be matched with a mentor. In this instance, we’ll discuss other available options with you.
If you have any questions prior to the matching process, please contact the Program Officer directly via foe-cmp@unimelb.edu.au from your student email.
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Yes, it is possible. However, the mentoring relationship aims to expand your knowledge of career options and the working world. You can still learn a lot from a mentor in another field of work, so we ask you to keep an open mind. While you can specify preferences in your application, highly specific criteria may limit your chance of being matched.
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Once matched, it’s expected that you initiate at least 3 meetings with your mentor during the semester. Meetings may be 30 minutes or longer, depending on individual preferences and needs. Meetings should be scheduled at a time that suits both parties and you should work around your mentor’s schedule. You can email your mentor to discuss the frequency of your meetings, and this can be negotiated at your first meeting.
Between your meetings with your mentor, you’ll likely want to take time to reflect on discussions and put some of the learnings or advice into action
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The format of the meetings (in person/online or a combination of both) should be discussed in the initial communication. Should you choose to meet via an online platform, we recommend using software such as Zoom or Teams. Recommended meeting places for in-person meetings could include on campus, your mentor’s place of work (during business hours) a public library, or a quiet café.
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The success of a mentoring partnership is dependent on your commitment to engage with your mentor. We know that the more often mentees meet with their mentor, the higher their satisfaction with the program is. You’ll develop valuable skills, experiences and knowledge by participating; the more you put in, the more you’ll
get out!You need to commit to:
- Being available during Semester 2 to meet with a mentor
- Taking responsibility to initiate and maintain the mentoring connection throughout the program, ensuring your meet at least 3 times
- Communicating regularly and promptly with mentor
- Preparing for meetings by considering topics of discussion and questions beforehand
- Honour your meeting commitments and be punctual
- Keep shared information confidential
We also encourage you to make use of the resources available to support you including:
- The Preparing for Mentoring LMS module
- The Mentee Preparation Workshop (date TBC once partnerships announced)
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Melbourne Plus is the University of Melbourne’s co-curricular recognition program that helps you build valuable skills, meaningful experiences, and receive verified digital credentials you can share on your resume or LinkedIn. Mentees who participate in Education career mentoring, meet eligibility requirements and submit their Melbourne Plus reflection will earn the Global Citizenship digital credential. This capability recognises students who engage with diverse perspectives and develop an understanding of global issues.
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Once you complete the mentoring program, if you have met eligibility requirements for the digital credential you will be enrolled in a Melbourne Plus LMS Community where you can complete a reflection on your development and receive the Global Citizenship digital credential.
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This program is being introduced in 2026, with select cohorts eligible to apply. In future years, further cohorts may also be eligible. In the meantime, you can join the University’s online networking platform, Ask Alumni, to connect with alumni for career support and guidance.
Contact us
If you have any questions about FoE Career Mentoring, contact us at foe-cmp@unimelb.edu.au