Psychology Mentoring Program
The Psychology Mentoring Program connects commencing fourth year students with graduate students completing either the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) or PhD. These graduate students act as mentors to assist in the transition from an undergraduate course to entering the world of graduate studies in the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. This mentor can give personalised advice about the experience, help their mentee make connections with their peers, and help them learn more about the coursework/research options available to them after their studies.
At the beginning of the program, 4th year students are matched with a group of their peers led by mentors. This group will provide students with a solid support network that will be there each step of the way, and are expected to meet regularly throughout the year. In addition to meetings, participants are invited to program-exclusive events and workshops to upskill their academic and professional abilities along with networking within groups and with participants of other faculty mentoring programs.
You can find out more about the program and what it is like to be a mentor or mentee in the Program Handbook.
For Mentees
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If you're an eligible 4th year student, you will receive an invitation via email in late February.
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- A strong support network to guide you through what can be a high-pressure and sometimes isolating year.
- An opportunity to connect with your peers and the School of Psychological Sciences, making friends and professional contacts as you go.
- An invitation to official program events to celebrate achievements within the program.
- You will strengthen your professional attributes such as reliability, confidence, and communication.
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To get the most of out your experience in the program, as a Mentee you should:
- Actively engage with your group and mentor by responding to communication promptly and being punctual to your meetings.
- Behave respectfully towards others and provide an inclusive environment for all.
- Go to your mentor for support and guidance - in some cases they may refer you to different services to get specialised support or assistance.
For Mentors
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Develop your skills:
- Develop your interpersonal, communication and group facilitation skills.
- Gain leadership training and practical experience.
- Expand your professional network within the University community.
Make a difference:
- Help 4th year students succeed in their first research project by sharing your experience and being a much-needed support along the way.
- Help new students develop a sense of belonging within the School of Psychological Sciences and their cohort.
- Make new friends and meet new people.
Be rewarded:
- Mentoring is a high-demand professional skill, add the program to your resume with a Melbourne Plus digital credential to strengthen job applications.
- The ability to access bespoke professional development training, designed to enhance your leadership skills.
- Attend program-exclusive social events throughout the year.
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As a mentor, you will be supporting a small group of 4th year students from the School of Psychological Sciences as they embark on their Honours year.
Mentors are not expected to have all the answers to questions a mentee might ask. Instead, you will be able to share your own experiences, provide information and refer students to university services for advice, model how to seek help and guide students to gain the confidence to find their own answers. By sharing your own university experiences, you can encourage and motivate mentees to pursue their goals and consider their study and career options after they have completed their Honours.
There are no requirements for how many times you must meet with your mentees over the duration of the program, however, we recommend that you book in regular sessions (approximately one per month) with your mentor group to ensure they are appropriately supported.
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To become a mentor in the Psychology Mentoring Program, you will need to be:
- A student studying a PhD within the School of Psychological Sciences, or the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) at the University of Melbourne.
- In good academic standing (not at risk).
- A student with no history of academic misconduct.
- Able to attend compulsory training and orientation activities.
- Able to commit to at least 20 hours of volunteering throughout the year.
The application recruitment process:
- Submit an application – applications are now open until 11:59pm 16 February 2025.
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in an assessment centre.
- Applicants are advised of outcome.
- Attend mandatory training.
- Allocated to a group of 4th year students.
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We have a range of supports in place to help you throughout your Mentoring experience.
Student Intern
Our Student Intern is a current PhD student employed to assist in delivering the faculty's 4th year mentoring programs. They will check on you throughout the semester, be there for you to ask questions to and point you in the right direction to get assistance, if needed. They will also organise social and networking events throughout the year for our mentors.Mentoring and Engagament team
The Mentoring and Engagement team are the professional staff delivering this program. They can assist with any questions you might have, organise training and workshops for your professional development, and handle the day-to-day operation of the Psychology Mentoring Program. You can reach us at mdhs-student-hub@unimelb.edu.au.