MDHS Mentoring Program

Support our future health leaders

Navigating through the final year of university and into the early stages of a professional career can be a challenge. The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS) Mentoring Program connects students and alumni to help prepare students for the future.

After successfully piloting the mentoring program in the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health and the Melbourne Dental School, in 2020 we expanded the program across the faculty and offer opportunities to Audiology, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Optometry, Oral Health, Physiotherapy, Public Health, Psychology, Social Work and Speech Pathology students.

The MDHS mentoring program is an 8-month commitment that will commence as a virtual program in 2021. Mentors and students will be matched according to study area or degree, as well as interests, experience and preferences for meeting arrangements.

Your health and wellbeing are of paramount importance to the University. We, therefore, ask all mentors to undertake the appropriate precaution when scheduling meetings with students. It is our recommendation that where possible you consider hosting your face-to-face meetings with students online using web conferencing software such as Skype and Zoom.

The program connects final year students with an experienced graduate of their chosen study area. The one-to-one mentoring structure fosters relationships between experienced practitioners and students and offers the opportunity to discuss career aspirations and concerns whilst gaining advice and guidance to help prepare students for the transition from university to the workplace.

Applications for the 2021 program are now closed.

For more information please contact mdhs-mentoring@unimelb.edu.au

Info for Students

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?

It can be daunting to think past the end of your degree and what you might be doing next. What does your future career actually look like in reality? Should you undertake further study? How will you navigate applications and interviews?

Being mentored is a powerful tool for you to make connections and receive guidance to help enhance your employment outcomes. Through workshops and one-to-one meetings, students participating in the program can increase their professional networks, understand work and learning experiences in practice, and work with their mentor to help identify and develop a career strategy post-study.

“The mentoring program was invaluable to my final year, especially with clinical placements on a 5-month hiatus. Talking with my mentor allowed me to feel strongly supported on both an academic and personal level during the trialling times of such bizarre year.”

– Student, 2020 program

Applications for the 2021 program are now closed.

Student FAQs

What might I expect to gain from joining the mentoring program?
Each mentoring match will be different. How your mentoring relationship evolves depends on you and your mentor documenting clear goals and strategies for achieving them. However, you can expect to be involved in some of the following:
- Exposure to expertise and experience
- Goal setting and decision making
- Career planning and professional development
- Discussion about the challenges of being a professional clinical practitioner
- Working through problems from a new perspective
- Introduction to the Australian professional environment
- Starting to establish a professional network within your chosen profession
- Assistance with practical advice that will help you find a job
When does the program run?
- February: Applications open for students
- March: Matching Process
- Late March: Students and alumni will be notified about the outcome of their application and introduced to their partner online.
- April – November: The program is an 8-month commitment

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

Final year students (those who graduate at the end of 2021, or mid-2022), who are enrolled in the following courses are eligible to apply:

Bachelor of Oral Health

Doctor of Dental Surgery

Doctor of Medicine

Doctor of Optometry

Doctor of Physiotherapy

Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Nurse Practitioner)

Master of Clinical Audiology

Master of Nursing Science

Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)

Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)

Master of Applied Psychology

Master of Public Health

Master of Social Work

Master of Speech Pathology

What are the responsibilities of a student?
To get the most out of this program students need to be open minded and willing to be proactive and accountable for their own professional development. Students are responsible for:
- Leading the mentoring relationship. You are expected to initiate the first contact and organise all meetings and communication with your mentor
- Being reliable - honour your appointments and commitments with your mentor
- Communicating openly and freely
- Defining and expressing what you wish to gain from the mentoring relationship
- Providing feedback to your mentor
- Sharing your thoughts and ideas about the profession, entering practice and your future aspirations
- Actively seeking your mentor’s opinions
- Commit to at least five meetings with your mentor between April and November 2021. The exact nature and frequency of these meetings can be determined between the student and mentor and may include a Skype call, informal meetings over coffee, attending a public lecture together, and much more. Meetings take place at a location and time most convenient for you and your mentor.
- Complete three feedback surveys (beginning, middle, end)
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct at all times
How do you decide which students are selected for this program?

Participation numbers may be limited to the number of mentors that are available. Applications will be assessed on a variety of criteria including student need, response to the application questions and suitability to the available mentors. Not all applications will be successful, and this will be at the discretion of the MDHS Mentoring Team.
How will I be matched with a mentor?

We will match you with a mentor based upon commonality in your applications. Best efforts will be made to fulfil your preferences but not all preferences can be guaranteed.
Can I choose my mentor?

No, we will match you with a mentor 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.
Where will I meet my mentor?

Mentor/student meetings need 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 you on campus.
Contact us

Info for Mentors

Do you remember your final year of university, wondering what it might be like in the real world? We have students right now with exactly the same questions.

We are currently looking for alumni from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences to share their professional experience and support students with the transition from university into their chosen career. Alumni from the below study areas are needed for the program in 2021:

Audiology
Dentistry
Medicine
Nursing
Optometry
Oral Health
Physiotherapy
Public Health
Psychological Sciences
Social Work
Speech Pathology

The MDHS Mentoring Program gives you the opportunity to enhance coaching and leadership skills and connect with the next generation of graduates from the faculty.

“I have always wanted to give back to MDS since leaving in 1995. Being a mentor is a great opportunity to engage with current students and the University. I feel I’m looking back at myself 20 years ago!
– Dr Jodie Dobson (BDSc 1995)

Applications for the 2021 program are now closed.

Mentoring FAQs

What might I expect to gain from joining the mentoring program?
- 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
- Support your student to identify and achieve their career goals and develop in confidence
- Reconnect or develop closer links with the University of Melbourne, ranked #1 in Australia
When does the program run?
- February: Applications for the program open
- March: Matching Process
- Late March: Students and alumni will be notified about the outcome of their application and introduced to their partner online.
- April – November: Students are encouraged to organise meetings with their mentor. These can take place in person or online.
What are the attributes of a good mentor?
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
How do I know if I’m eligible for the program?
1. Have graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences before 2018.
2. Have a minimum of two years professional experience.
3. Not currently employed by the University of Melbourne in any role that influences the academic outcomes of students.
4. Not in any position or situation that may be deemed to cause a conflict of interest affecting the results of this program.
What is the time commitment?

Mentors and students are expected to have regular meetings for a duration of eight months (at least 5 meetings), between March 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. Mentors are also encouraged to attend on-campus events with their student partner at the beginning, middle and end of the program.
How will I be matched with a student?

We will match you with a student based upon commonality in your applications. Best efforts will be made to fulfil your preferences but not all preferences can be guaranteed.
Can I choose a student?

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.
Where will I meet my student

The scheduling of mentor/student meetings are the responsibility of the student and need 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.
If my application is unsuccessful, can I apply to be a mentor in subsequent years?

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.
Contact us

For further information, please contact the MDHS Alumni Relations Team on 9035 7869 or at mdhs-mentoring@unimelb.edu.au

MDHS Mentoring Program – Guidelines 2021