MDHS Career Mentoring
About MDHS Mentoring
Navigating through the final years of university and into the early stages of a professional career can be a challenge. The Career Mentoring Program connects students and alumni to help prepare students for the future.
The Career Mentoring program is a five-month commitment that connects students in their final years of study with an experienced graduate in their chosen career area. The one-to-one mentoring structure fosters relationships between professional practitioners and students and offers the opportunity to discuss career aspirations and concerns while gaining advice and guidance to help prepare students for the transition from university to the workplace.
Mentors and students are matched according to career interests, experience and topics of development.
Applications for the 2026 program are now open.
We are seeking alumni from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences to share their professional experience and support students with their career readiness and transition from university into the workplace.
Alumni, who are currently working, with at least one year of professional experience from the below study areas are needed for the program:
- Audiology
- Dentistry
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Optometry
- Oral Health
- Physiotherapy
- Public Health
- Psychological Sciences
- Social Work
- Speech Pathology
The Career Mentoring Program gives you the opportunity to enhance coaching and leadership skills and connect with the next generation of graduates.
Key dates
- Monday 20 April
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Mentor applications open
- Monday 8 June
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Matching process commences
- Tuesday 14 July
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Mentoring partnerships announced
- Tuesday 21 July
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Preparing to mentor - online event
- July - November
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Regular meetings with your mentee (at least 3 times, in person or online)
- Wednesday 26 August
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MDHS Mentoring Mixer (in person networking event)
- Monday 30 November
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Program concludes
Time commitment
Mentors and students are expected to have at least three meetings during the program. 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 FAQs for mentors.
If you have questions about the program, please contact the mentoring team at career-mentors@unimelb.edu.au.
Student applications for the 2026 program have now closed.
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?
Having a mentor is a powerful tool for you to make long-lasting connections and receive personalised 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. See what past students have said about the program.
Students who meet the following criteria and are enrolled for the duration of the program are eligible to apply:
Penultimate or final year students enrolled in the below courses:
- Bachelor of Oral Health
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Doctor of Dental Surgery
- Doctor of Medicine
- Doctor of Optometry
- Doctor of Physiotherapy
All students enrolled in the following courses:
- Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Nurse Practitioner)
- Master of Biostatistics
- Master of Biostatistics (Enhanced)
- Master of Clinical Audiology
- Master of Nursing Science
- Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)
- Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)
- Master of Applied Psychology
- Master of Professional Psychology
- Master of Public Health (except for students who are completing a Professional Practice Unit)
- Master of Science (Epidemiology)
- Master of Social Work
- Master of Speech Pathology
Key dates
- Monday 13 April
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Mentee applications open
- Friday 22 May
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Applications close or once program capacity is reached
- 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 (at least monthly) meetings and communication with your mentor
- Wednesday 26 August
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Mentoring Mixer (in-person networking event)
- End of November
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Program concludes
Melbourne Plus Recognition
From 2026, Career Mentoring is now an eligible activity for Melbourne Plus; the University's cocurricular 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, if you have not previously obtained a Global Citizenship Melbourne Plus credentials through other eligible activities.
Learn more about Melbourne Plus recognition for career mentoring here.
Student applications for the 2026 program have now closed.
For more information and eligibility, please refer to the FAQs for students.
If you have questions about the program, please contact the mentoring team at mdhs-mentoring@unimelb.edu.au.
FAQs for Mentors
Have your mentoring questions answered here or contact us for any further assistance.
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- 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 (Facts and figures)
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- 20 April: Mentor applications open
- 8 June: Matching process 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: Program Preparation Events are held for matched mentors and mentees
- July – November: The program runs for 5 months
- 26 August: Mentoring Mixer (in person networking event for Melbourne based participants)
- End of November: Program concludes
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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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As a mentor, you are expected to support and guide your mentee in appropriate ways 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 networks
- Work shadowing if appropriate (observing)
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- Have graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences before 2025.
- Currently working/practicing in the industry.
- Have a minimum of one year of professional industry 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.
To join the Career Mentoring program as a mentor you must:
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Mentors and students are expected to have at least three meetings over the five-month program between July and November. The exact nature and frequency of these meetings can be determined between the mentor and student and may include informal catch-ups over coffee, virtual meetings, workplace or campus based discussions, 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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You will be matched 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.
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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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Mentor/student meetings must be scheduled at a suitable location and time for both parties. Meetings can either be in-person or online. Format and frequency of meetings is to be discussed and agreed to at the first meeting.
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Yes, absolutely you are welcome to apply again. Every effort will be made to match you with a student whose career interests align with your expertise and experience, however sometimes a match is not found and unfortunately not all applications will be successful.
For further information, please contact the Career Mentoring Team at career-mentors@unimelb.edu.au.
FAQs for Students
Find the answers to your questions here or contact us for any further assistance.
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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
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- Monday 13 April: Mentee applications open
- Friday 22 May: Applications close or once program capacity is reached
- Week commencing 13 July: Application outcomes and partnerships announced
- Week commencing 20 July: Mentee Preparation Workshop
- July – November: Regular (at least monthly) meetings and communication with your mentor
- 26 August: Mentoring Mixer (in-person networking event)
- End of November: Program concludes
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To get the most out of this program, students need to be open-minded, proactive, and accountable for their own professional development. Students are responsible for the following:
- Complete a short online Mentoring Preparation module and quiz (approx 15 minutes)
- 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 three meetings with your mentor between July and November. The exact nature and frequency of these meetings can be determined between the student and mentor and may include an online conversation, 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 two feedback surveys (after the first meeting and at the end of the program).
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct at all times.
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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 Career Mentoring Team.
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We will match you with a mentor based upon commonality in your applications. Preferences cannot be guaranteed; however, every effort will be made to accommodate them based on mentor availability.
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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.
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Mentor/student meetings must be scheduled at a suitable location and time for both parties. However, it is preferable that students work around the mentor’s schedule. Please note that mentors are not required to meet you on campus. Meetings can either be in-person or online. Format and frequency of meetings is to be discussed and agreed to at the first meeting.
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Students who meet the following criteria and are enrolled for the duration of the program are eligible to apply:
Penultimate or final year students enrolled in the below courses:
- Bachelor of Oral Health
- Doctor of Dental Surgery
- Doctor of Medicine
- Doctor of Optometry
- Doctor of Physiotherapy
All students enrolled in the following courses:
- Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Nurse Practitioner)
- Master of Biostatistics
- Master of Biostatistics (Enhanced)
- Master of Clinical Audiology
- Master of Nursing Science
- Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)
- Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)
- Master of Applied Psychology
- Master of Professional Psychology
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Science (Epidemiology)
- Master of Social Work
- Master of Speech Pathology
In 2025, eligibility will be extended to a small group of final year students studying the Bachelor of Biomedicine. Places will be strictly limited for this pilot program.
If you have questions about the program, please contact the mentoring team at mdhs-mentoring@unimelb.edu.au.
Mentor testimonials
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.
The MDHS mentoring program has provided me the opportunity to engage with, and hopefully positively impact, future generations of not only healthcare practitioners, but also leaders in their respective fields. It has been a truly rewarding process from a personal perspective, and one that I would highly recommend to any MDHS Alumni if they are seeking either a new challenge or an avenue to develop themselves in a leader.
The mentoring program was a very rewarding experience and a great way for myself to give back to the university and help shape and inform the lives and careers of current students and future colleagues and peers. The support the university provided was very helpful in aid my mentoring experience and I felt well equipped to answer any questions or concerns the mentees had. It not only is a useful resource for networking, but it also helps shape the future of the profession by helping guide and support new entrants into the field.
The MDHS Career Mentoring Program is an excellent platform for MDHS alumni to connect with current students who are on a similar journey. It offers alumni the chance to share valuable insights that help students better understand life after graduation and make informed career decisions. The program is well-structured and supported by a range of resources, promoting meaningful two-way learning through shared experiences. Most importantly, it enables alumni to stay actively connected with the university community.
Mentoring is not only a wonderful way to pay it forward but is also a great opportunity to learn from the perspectives and experience of highly motivated younger people. Mentoring is part of my own continuing professional and personal development.
It's great to be able to give back and support the medstudents in their career planning. Giving helpful tips and tricks for internship is also a great thing to be able to do.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the mentoring experience. I have been able able to positively utilise and share my experience of nearly 50 years of Medical and Psychiatric practice in my interactions with my mentee throughout the program and we developed a strong and lasting friendship. I recommend participation as mentors in the program without reservation to all my colleagues.
A lovely experience talking with soon-to-be doctors and guide them along the way. Also reminds me of my younger self when I was in their shoes.
This was an interesting and engaging way to connect with a student and be able to provide a "listening ear" to support them in making their own informed decisions about their study and career development. I was connected with a very enthusiastic, wise and proactive student who brought much enrichment to my experience.
Initially I was quite nervous about my capacity to be a mentor but I was matched with a mentee that I could really relate to. The support and resources provided by the Career Mentoring Team were clear, concise, informative and helpful and provided a framework for a successful mentorship relationship. I enjoyed meeting with my mentee and 'sharing my pearls of wisdom', giving the sort of support and guidance that I would really have appreciated as a novice practitioner.
I think back to the sometimes daunting experience of university in the '80s and reflect on the potential difference a mentor may have had for my journey. Access to an experienced and non-judgemental mentor would have been amazing to help navigate career transitions, learning priorities and challenges, and confidence in managing my everyday academic commitments.
I found the mentoring experience to be highly rewarding, and a wonderful opportunity to support students starting their journey as clinicians.
Serving as a mentor in the MDHS Mentoring program over the years has been a rewarding experience for my professional and personal journey. Particularly, the opportunity to walk alongside my mentees and to encourage them as they grow in confidence, skill and finding their career purpose has been awesome. The MDHS mentorship experience has strengthened my belief that mentorship is transformative on both sides. It has been a great joy to witness the mentee's development, whilst concurrently learning to be an active listener and humble leader, celebrating each small milestone and progress made by the mentee I partnered with. I am confident that the shared learning and support provided will have a positive impact going forward and would encourage other alumni who would like to take the step to consider mentoring and invest in a student's journey.
This was my first mentoring experience ever, and I found it really empowering. I was very nervous at first, unsure if I was adequately prepared. However, thanks to the training received and after meeting the mentees, I realised I was able to genuinely connect with them and share meaningful lived experiences and practical recommendations relevant to the nursing industry. I am really happy I took part in this program.
The mentoring experience was a good opportunity to support graduating students as they complete their final year and transition into the workforce. The mentoring program staff provided good support to myself as the mentor and the mentee.
Mentee testimonials
Through mentoring, students gain practical advice, increased confidence and a stronger sense of what’s possible.
Don’t take it from us - hear directly from our past student mentees.
This program was a fantastic opportunity to gain insight into my future profession that went beyond what was taught in my degree. Being paired with a mentor whose career trajectory I want to emulate has given me a model of how I too can achieve my dream career.
Connecting with a mentor was a great experience for me! Having someone working in the type of position and industry I aspire to myself, who I could ask any and all questions about their work- and the different pathways and skills needed for one to reach it- was super valuable and insightful. And my mentor was lovely enough to offer mentorship on an ongoing informal basis outside of this program. I'd definitely recommend students take the opportunity to participate as mentees if they're interested.
Participating in the MDHS Career Mentoring Program has been one of my most enriching experiences throughout my undergraduate degree. My mentor was excellent, offering valuable insights into the nature of their career and work environment which supported me in my own career planning process. They were also extremely kind, compassionate and generous, giving much advice and wisdom on my development of key skills in interviewing and communication which I truly valued. Ultimately, I highly recommend this program to proactive students seeking to discover more facets of their aspiring careers from established experts in the field.
I was able to chat freely with my mentor, provide student life updates, raise concerns/worries and navigate goal setting together. It was a wonderful experience that allowed me to gain confidence in working towards my future career.
This mentoring program played a key role in helping me successfully pass my placement and gave me valuable guidance in planning my future professional development. I would strongly encourage other students to participate, as the support and insight are extremely beneficial.
Louisa was a fantastic mentor who provided me with excellent insights and valuable feedback that encouraged me to see the value in my previous career experience. She clarified my concerns and empowered me to apply for public health careers. She was available and so supportive. I am incredibly grateful for her time.
My mentor’s thoughtfulness in sharing her perspectives and experiences helped me better understand the field I'm about to enter and feel more at ease as I navigate my transition from my previous career to my future career in social work. I appreciate the program's thoughtful approach to mentor-mentee matching, and I cannot recommend it more highly to other students.
The MDHS mentoring program has been a wonderful experience. My mentor provided direction and guidance that helped me understand how to use my time at university effectively to strengthen my portfolio and skillset while at university. Through this mentorship I have been encouraged to apply for volunteering opportunities and to be intentional with my subject selection.
The mending programme was amazing, it far exceeded my expectations which were high to begin with. My mentor was absolutely amazing, her recommendations, insights and overall warm persona were absolutely invaluable.
This mentorship offered valuable industry insight from an experienced clinician, supporting both my career exploration and the development of professional confidence.
I found the mentoring program to be an extremely beneficial experience. My mentor was very willing to meet and offer their expertise on career directions, as well as offering advice on applications and networking. I felt that it was easy to organise meetings and that my mentor was always available should I have questions!