Women in Technology Alumni Mentoring

The Women in Technology (WIT) Alumni Mentoring program aims to boost the involvement, retention and success of women and non-binary students in IT. Driven by our mission ‘IT for Social Good’, it’s our responsibility to champion gender equity and give everyone an equal chance of success.

Paired with accomplished alumni in industry, the program helps students expand their networks, gain critical insights into the field, grow professionally, and get a headstart on their careers. It’s also a great opportunity for participating professionals to hone their leadership skills and empower the next generation of IT experts.

The WIT Alumni Mentoring program is returning for the third year in 2021. The program will run twice - March to May (semester one) and again from August to October (semester two). See key application and event dates below.

The program is delivered both virtually and in-person, based on relevant restrictions. For March to May, the initial events will be held virtually with the remainder planned for delivery in-person observing all capacity limits, social distancing requirements and hygiene practices.

Benefits to mentors

• Build your professional and personal development, confidence, communication, networking and leadership skills
• Support your mentee in their academic, career and personal development goals, confidence building, communication, career planning and networking skills
• Increase your professional networks by connecting with fellow program participants
• Gain access to potential talent for your organisation

Eligibility criteria

The program is open to alumni and industry professionals who are:

• Any gender
• Based locally to Melbourne, Australia
• Monash IT alumni or industry mentors from relevant IT fields
• Have a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC) or the ability to obtain one prior to program launch

Completion Certificate

To be awarded a completion certificate on conclusion of the program, mentors must:

• Attend all three events (or have provided reasonable explanation prior to the event explaining inability to attend)
• Complete the below surveys:
  • Pre-program survey
  • Check-in survey
  • Evaluation survey

Benefits to mentees

• Receive guidance and support for your academic, career and personal development goals, confidence building, communication, career planning and networking skills
• Learn from your mentor’s experience in the IT industry
• Enhance your graduate outcomes and employability
• Increase your professional networks by connecting with your mentor and other participants in the program

Eligibility criteria

The program is open to student mentees who are:

• Women (including non-binary)
• Current students (or on IBL placement) in Semester one, 2021
• Studying at an Australian campus

And one of the following:

• Studying an undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Information Technology (or non-Faculty of Information Technology managed degrees with an IT component; or double-degrees where IT is one degree; or Software Engineering students), and have completed at least one year of study at Monash and 48 credit points in FIT/MAT units OR;
• Studying a postgraduate degree in the Faculty of Information Technology, and have completed one semester of study at Monash and at least 24 credit points.

Completion Certificate

To be awarded a completion certificate on conclusion of the program, mentees must:

• Attend all three events (or have provided reasonable explanation prior to the event explaining inability to attend)
• Complete the below surveys:
  • Pre-program survey
  • Check-in survey
  • Evaluation survey

‘Presenting your inner professional’ mentee Q&A
Thursday 11 March

Our preliminary Q&A session on ‘Presenting your inner professional’ is a chance for mentees to pose all their networking questions to an alumni and industry panel.

Launch event
Tuesday 16 March

Mentors and mentees are introduced to the program and each other. We also provide all tools and resources for the program, and partnerships are given the opportunity to plan their goals.

Networking event
Thursday 22 April

In a facilitated workshop, mentees are given the chance to build their communication and presentation skills. Mentors are invited to connect with other mentors and industry partners. Afterwards, both parties engage in a structured speed networking session.

Celebration event
Tuesday 18 May

At the end of the program, our mentors and mentees gather to celebrate their progress, share their experiences and reflect on their journeys. We also award certificates to participants who successfully complete the program.

Mentee testimonials

"My mentor helped me a lot through the program and I've become more confident in talking to people. It's an amazing way to create connections and it's a great opportunity for students to learn about the workforce through their mentors."

- Nirvashi Ramgutty, Bachelor of Computer Science 

"Special thanks to our mentors who volunteered their time as well as the administrators of this mentoring program. Us mentees are more set up for university life as well as life after university. It was great to get to know others in the Zoom meetings. Despite not being able to meet each other face to face, I felt connected. It was such a great opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and network with other people in the industry as well as other students."

- Grace Jingrou Loh, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Information Technology

Mentor testimonials

"The program was a fantastic channel to reconnect with Monash University after graduating some years ago. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who wants to give something back to the industry that has served many of us so well!"

- Cameron Wood, Digital Delivery Manager, SXiQ

"I'm always impressed by the dedication and passion that's put into programs designed purely to help others or encourage social change. Whether pushing for diversity, mental health, climate action or human rights, the individuals that put these programs together show a progressive drive for change and betterment that I think everyone can learn from. So, whether now or in twenty years' time, I hope every administrator and mentor involved in the program looks fondly back on the positive impact they've had on others as the true measure of their value."

- Olliver Fontana, Client Director and Data Scientist, RUBIX

Hear more about the power of networking from past participants.

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