Program Information

Rationale

Mentoring programs are designed to enable the smooth transition from one educational or career context to another. The Burgmann College program seeks to provide senior students with opportunities to learn about future career options and assist with their movement into their chosen professional fields.

Objectives

The specific objectives of the program are to:

  • Enable mentees to acquire knowledge about particular career and work environments, including organisational cultures and expectations.
  • Provide mentees with the opportunities to develop new personal and professional skills;
  • Improve the future employment options for mentees;
  • Enable networking activities for both mentees and mentors, and
  • Enhance the connections between the College and professional/business individuals and organisations.

Program

The mentoring program includes up to 100 Burgmann College residents and the matching of these residents with suitable mentors. Some mentors may be asked to take more than one mentee.

Requirements of Mentees

It is expected that the mentee, once informed of their mentor, will initiate and maintain the relationship and will commit to a series of tasks. These include:

  • Identifying the purpose of the mentoring relationship and the desired outcomes.
  • Making contact with the mentor, discussing the proposed outcomes outlined in the initial expression of interest form and establishing a meeting schedule. (It is expected that there will be at least two meetings per semester).
  • Attending mentoring program functions.
  • Attending review meetings with other mentees to discuss progress, insights, issues, etc. as requested.
  • Informing the Deputy Principal of any issues that need addressing outside the review process.
  • Completing the evaluation of the program on its conclusion.

Requests of Mentors

The College recognises that mentors provide their time and expertise free of charge and that mentees need to be conscious of this in their negotiations with their mentors. However, in expressing a willingness to be involved in the program, it is hoped that mentors will:

  • Attend a BAM program function if possible – The mentoring dinner or other event.
  • Agree to meet with the mentee at least twice, note the mentee’s proposed outcomes, and negotiate with them on their (possible) achievement.
  • Provide guidance to the mentee(s) as appropriate;
  • Inform the Deputy Principal of any matters of concern;
  • Provide the College with feedback on their mentoring relationship(s) and the Program at its conclusion.