Mentoring Partnership Program

Deakin's Mentoring Partnership Program (MPP) facilitates partnerships between mentors and mentees for a fixed period of time for the purpose of providing guidance and direction primarily to support the mentee's career development, performance and personal growth. Mentees are matched to mentors who have the abilities and strengths in the areas needed to support each mentee's professional goals. The program is designed to address a broad range of support needs identified by General as well as Academic staff.

The HR Mentoring Partnership Program will be complemented in 2008 by a number of innovative Research Mentoring schemes for academic staff that are being developed by Faculties and Schools in conjunction with the recently established Staff Research Development Office in Research Services.

These programs will provide focused support and networking opportunities for academic staff to build their research profile. Further information about the Research Mentoring schemes will be provided throughout the year and will also be available on the Research Services web site.

Benefits for mentees

guidance in the development of your professional skills
objective feedback and advice on dealing with challenges in your work
insight into Deakin's culture
a smoother transition following promotion or workplace change
empowerment
development of your professional networks potentially both within and outside the university

Statements from previous mentees:

'Learnt more about Deakin University in six months than I have in five years. I'd promote this program to anyone who has a particular interest and would like to tap into the universities people, expertise and progress forward. Thanks for this opportunity.'

'The program and my mentor gave me courage and confidence to actively investigate a new career path at Deakin. Doors and pathways were open to me which allowed me to strive towards achieving goals both during the program and long term. An excellent opportunity and an excellent program.'

'...have gained more from the Mentoring Partnership Program than I originally anticipated. The mentor that HR chose for me was absolutely ideal from my point of view, and has been so enthusiastic and supportive of me throughout this program...'

Benefits for mentors

further enhancement of your own personal and professional networks
the opportunity to reflect on and articulate your role and career 'journey' to date
reinforce lessons you have learned
recognition for your areas of expertise
challenging discussion with staff who have fresh perspectives
enhance your mentoring skills - valuable experience for inclusion on your own Curriculum Vitae and/or Performance Planning and Review.

Statements from previous mentors:

'A very positive experience from the mentors perspective. Good fit between mentor and mentee, and felt I had personally contributed to my mentee's professional development.'

'We were taught on the program that mentoring is giving without remembering and receiving without forgetting. As a mentor, I gained a lot of satisfaction from sharing knowledge with another Deakin academic. I support this program fully and look forward to participating in it again.'

'From a personal perspective I find the MPP extremely rewarding and satisfying in that it allows me to put something back into the University and assist others who are actively seeking to gain an insight from the experience and perspective of others.'

2008 Applications and Registrations

Mentee Applications and Mentor Registrations are to be returned to:
Christine Fernandes, Senior Consultant
HRSD Melbourne Campus at Burwood
Closing date for applications is 18 April 2008.

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