Access Monash Mentoring

As a mentor, you will support students from under-represented communities to:

• Navigate the challenges of VCE through one-on-one mentoring sessions
• Explore campus and university life
• Discover their dream career

Benefits:

• Join a community of like-minded, passionate Monash students
• Expand your networks and make new friends
• Gain employability skills that will prepare you for your transition into the workforce, including (but are not limited to):
  • Communication skills by sharing your experiences at events and through one-on-one mentoring
  • Leadership and interpersonal skills by providing your mentee with guidance and support and maintaining positive relationships with key stakeholders
  • Organisation and time management skills by managing competing commitments with your participation in the program
• Access Monash mentors will also be considered for the Monash Mentor Scholarship (scholarships are limited, this is a volunteer program

Eligibility:

• Be enrolled throughout 2023 (semester one and two) as a Monash University student in Australia
• Achieved 65% average in your Monash studies (current students), or a minimum ATAR of 80.00 (commencing students)
• Completed Year 12 in Australia
• Be able to commit to meeting up to 2 mentees at their schools fortnightly
• Be able to commit at least 2 hours of your time per week over the academic year
• Be able to travel independently to schools and Monash campuses to run activities

As a mentee, you will be matched with a current Monash student who will mentor you throughout Year 11 and 12.

Benefits:

• Receive individual mentoring from an experienced Monash student
• Gain insight into university life
• Clarify future goals
• Explore your study and career options
• Gain support and study tips from someone who has completed VCE
• Exclusive access to some Monash programs
• Make new friends and expand your network

Eligibility:

• Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or holder of an Australian permanent resident or permanent humanitarian visa
• Be in Year 11 or 12 in 2024
• Attend an Access Monash partner school
• Be considering studying at a university
• Be an Indigenous Australian, have a low income, or live in a regional or low socio-economic area
• Have your application endorsed by your school
• Have parent/guardian permission.

Arnav and Pranav share their experience being in the program.

Ankita and Ali share their experience being in the program.

Tuition

Tuition fees for this program are waived by the host institution. While on exchange you remain enrolled at Monash and continue to pay fees to Monash University. Find out more here.

Cost of living

One semester abroad will generally cost you approximately AUD$10,000 – $15,000, however this varies depending on destination and your individual living standards.

Monash funding

Find out about Monash Abroad Travel Scholarships here.

Find out about Monash University Travel and Placement Scholarships here.

Australian government funding

Find out about the Overseas Higher Education Loan Program (OS-HELP) here.

Testimonial: Trinity Woodman and Cheryl Batagol

Trinity Woodman was in her final year studying the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science, Economics and Applied Mathematics when she joined the Betty Amsden AO Alumni Mentoring Program. She wanted a mentor who could support her in deciding what career path would suit her passions and interests when she graduated. She was matched with Cheryl Batagol, who is the Chair of the Environment Protection Authority for Victoria and was keen to provide a helping hand to others and give back to the community.

Trinity and Cheryl met every few weeks and had an immediate connection. At their first mentoring session, Cheryl helped Trinity formulate three goals for the year:

• To connect with industries and understand their similarities, differences and her interests in each.
• To develop a 5-year career plan.
• To get a job.

During the program, Trinity and Cheryl discussed Trinity's interests, potential career paths, decision making, work-life balance, management and interview techniques. Cheryl introduced Trinity to her contacts in different industries who were happy to talk to Trinity about their organisation, its values, culture and where she could fit in. Cheryl recognised Trinity had strong leadership potential and helped her confidence grow.

"I see Trinity as an outstanding leader though she does not necessarily recognise this. I wanted to her to see that leadership is not a position in an organisation, rather it is achieved through developing capabilities and exercising those capabilities every day in every situation," Cheryl said.

With Cheryl's help, Trinity successfully secured a position in the Victorian Public Service's Graduate Program, where she will be an analyst in the Department of Treasury and Finance. Trinity sees this as a good fit for her and she is looking forward to her future there.

"I now see work in the perspective of achieving an ultimate purpose rather than as a career path for achieving a salary. Through developing my skills, networks, and capabilities I hope to eventually change something big for the better," Trinity said.