Betty Amsden AO Leadership Program

Access Monash mentors are invited to apply to participate in the Betty Amsden AO Leadership Program. This program supports 20 students each year who have shown leadership potential and have experienced educational disadvantages.

Students are matched with Monash alumni mentors, who provide one-on-one mentoring with a focus on industry knowledge, networks, career planning and personal development.

The connection, guidance and inspiration provided by the alumni mentors assist students to transition successfully to the workplace and beyond.

Activities include:

• One-on-one mentoring opportunities where students meet semi-regularly with their paired mentor who provides career advice, introduces their networks and exposes students to the realities, challenges and rewards of working in their chosen field.
• Workplace experience and shadowing – students spend time with their mentor to gain a greater understanding of professional roles and workplace culture.

Give back and participate in this program as an alumni mentor!

• The program will run over the course of the academic year (March to October).
• Mentors and mentees are expected to meet face-to-face, four to six times over the course of the mentoring relationship.
• Face-to-face meetings are to be supported by regular contact via phone, email or video call as agreed upon by mentors and mentees.
• Mentors are required to attend the program induction.
• If possible, alumni mentors will invite their mentee to at least one professional experience, this could be an opportunity to shadow you in the workplace or attend a networking event or meeting.

Mentees are selected based on the outstanding commitment they have made to Access Monash and their achievements at the University and in their community. Many have overcome significant barriers to study at Monash and some may be the first member of their family to attend university.

Mentors are selected based on their life and professional experience and their willingness to share their time, skills and workplace with a student.

If you are an Access Monash mentor in your final year of study, you will be invited to apply to participate in the Betty Amsden AO Leadership Program as a mentee.

The program connects you with a Monash alumni mentor working in your chosen industry and aims to support you in making a successful transition from university to the workforce.

• The program will run over the course of the academic year (March to October).
• Mentors and mentees are expected to meet face-to-face, four to six times over the course of the mentoring relationship.
• Face-to-face meetings are to be supported by regular contact via phone, email or video call as agreed upon by mentors and mentees.
• If possible, alumni mentors will invite their mentees to at least one external professional experience, this could be a networking event or meeting.
• You are required to attend the program induction, two on-campus professional development events and the close of the program celebration.
• Mentees receive a scholarship valued at $6000.

Eligibility:

You must be one of the following:

• An Australian citizen
• A New Zealand citizen
• Australian permanent resident
• Australian humanitarian visa holder

You must meet the following criteria:

• A continuing Monash undergraduate coursework student.
• Have completed at least 12 months of service as an Access Monash Mentor, within the last two years prior to appointment.
• From an under-represented community.
• Be in your final year in 2024 (and enrolled in Semesters 1 and 2) or expected completion by Semester 1, 2025.

Be available to attend the:

• Induction breakfast on Thursday 14 March 2024, and,
• End of Year celebration on Thursday 17 October 2024.

Miss Betty Amsden AO was one of Victoria's most visible and vocal advocates for philanthropy. Passionate about mentoring younger generations to become future leaders, Betty provided a generous seed gift that made this program possible.

The Betty Amsden Foundation is committed to funding this program. Each year, 20 scholarships valued at $6000 will be offered to students in the program.

Hear from our mentors

Anthony Bailey, ABconsulting

"I found the program to be beneficial from my side in the sense I had to think back to what it was like for me embarking on my professional career and what I would have been looking for in terms of support from a mentor."

Cheryl Batagol, Chair of the Environment Protection Authority for Victoria

"I see my mentee as an outstanding leader though she does not necessarily recognise this. I wanted 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."

Shahzad Billimoria, NG Systems Analyst

“I've had so many great mentors during my time at university and in my career, so I wanted to give back and help someone else through this program. It has been a great opportunity for me to pass on the knowledge I learnt. I've benefited from seeing my mentee flourish and grow from the mentoring I provided.”

Guillaume Bailin, Managing Lawyer

“What motivates me to be a mentor in this program is the opportunity to give back to the Monash community and shape someone's future career journey. In this program, there is a lot of support and structure which helps build the relationship between mentor and mentee at the start. I aim to support my mentees so they can avoid the mistakes I made and take up new opportunities under my guidance.”

Hear from our mentees

Julius Daguman Jr, Bachelor of Science

"My mentor really allowed me to explore my career in depth given their background and connections, which made me feel so much more confident about choosing a career path I will enjoy."

Left - Natasha Sugarman, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Right - April Watson, Associate - Public Law, Maddocks

"Through this experience, I developed an innate understanding and first-hand knowledge of the desired field I wish to pursue after graduating." - Natasha (mentee)

"A mentoring relationship is not only professionally desirable but also deeply personally rewarding. I cannot wait to learn more about Natasha's next step in her career journey!" - April (mentor)

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.