Mentoring Partnership Program

• About the Mentoring Partnership Program
• Who is the Mentoring Partnership Program for?
• Program outline
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Testimonials
• How to apply
• Tools for mentees/mentors

"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction." (John Crosby)

About the Mentoring Partnership Program

The Mentoring Partnership Program (MPP) is designed to support Deakin's LIVE the future strategic plan by facilitating mentoring opportunities to support staff to develop the flexibility, skills and experience they need to meet the challenges of an increasingly digital and global workplace.

The six month program provides mentors and mentees an opportunity to work together collaboratively to assist the mentee to achieve specific goals. The program is open to all continuing staff and includes three formal sessions facilitated by Human Resources.

The program sees mentees matched to a mentor who has the abilities, strength and experience in the areas the mentee wishes to develop.

Who is the Mentoring Partnership Program for?

The Mentoring Partnership Program is open to all continuing staff members. The program can benefit if you are:

• new to Deakin, Australia or the Higher Education sector and want to gain an understanding of the University
• in a new role, team, Division, School, Institute or Faculty
• a new graduate and want advice to assist in the transition to the workforce
• offsite or in a rural area and want to build you networks
• looking for a new direction or opportunity within Deakin, but not sure what, or how to go about it
• looking for guidance in your career progression and next steps
• a mentee from a previous year and want to give back to the program and experience from a different perspective by becoming a mentor?
• seeking to build you professional networks
• looking for a broader mentoring experience outside of your work area

Program outline

• Staff express interest via the relevant application form either to become a mentor or a mentee.
• Once applications close, Human Resources review the applications and undertake a matching process to match mentees with a suitable mentor.
• The program formally commences at the Opening forum. The opening forum provides an opportunity for the mentors and mentees to gain a common understanding on mentoring and how it can benefit them. Pairs will have an opportunity to get to know each other and will set specific goals to work towards achieving. These goals form part of the agreement between the mentee and mentor
• Following the Opening Forum, mentees and mentors arrange to meet regularly to work towards achieving the mentee's goals.
• After three months, the Midpoint meeting is held to assess how the partnership is tracking, discuss skills development, and allow for sharing of successes and experiences. The Midpoint meeting is a great opportunity to refine goals and to ensure you are on track for the remainder of the program
• The program concludes at the Closing forum. The Closing forum is a great opportunity to celebrate successes, share experiences, reflect on what has been achieved and provide feedback to Human Resources.

Things to note:

• It is important that all parties attend and participate in the forums/meetings.
• There is no cost to participants. It is expected that prior to applying for the program you speak to your supervisor or manager and seek their approval.
• In addition to the Mentoring Partnership Program there are a number of Staff Development courses which can be viewed on the Staff Development Calendar.

For more information, go to the 'tools' section at the bottom of this page or email Sherree Barbieri.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What hours must I commit to and how often am I expected to participate?
2. Who are the mentors?
3. How are people matched?
4. What are the potential benefits to mentees?
5. What are the potential benefits to mentors?

1. What hours must I commit to and how often am I expected to participate?

The hours you commit to are determined between the mentor and the mentee at the Opening Forum. To maximise the experience it is important for mentees and mentors to meet regularly either via phone, videoconference or in person. Participants are also required to attend the three formal sessions- the Opening Forum, Midpoint meeting and Closing forum.

2. Who are the mentors?

A mentor is someone who is employed as a HEW 7 (or higher) with at least 12 months experience at Deakin University. They will have experience, knowledge and skills in certain areas attractive to the mentee.

The aim is that the mentor will provide support or advice in areas identified by their mentee. These areas can cover issues concerning work, life or career, developing options and strategies for coping with particular situations or problems. They may assist in skills development, networking and confidence-building. Above all, a mentor is someone who listens, is accessible and approachable, acts as a guide, facilitator or role model for the mentee.

3. How are people matched?

Selected participants will be matched as closely as possible to each mentee's identified needs and to the strengths of the available mentors. Your application form will form the basis of the matching process. Please note: Matching is subject to a maximum number of participants - applying to participate does not guarantee inclusion in the program.

4. What are the potential benefits to mentees?

• Specific skill development
• Learn different perspectives from other staff
• Increase understanding of the Higher Education sector and Deakin University
• Increase confidence
• Improve your CV
• Develop a career plan or work towards a specific career goal
• Clarify career aspirations
• Build communication skills
• Enjoy increased collegiality and networking
• Gain insight from senior colleagues and learn from their experiences

5. What are the potential benefits to mentors?

• Personal fulfilment
• Contribute to the development of a colleague
• Share your skills, knowledge and expertise
• Increase skills in coaching, listening and modelling
• Develop influencing skills
• Strengthen your communication skills
• Build your professional network
• Share the achievements and success of your mentee

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Testimonials

Here's what some of the 2012 participants thought when asked what their personal highlight was.

Past Mentee

'Personal highlight- having achieved the most important goal of securing a permanent job. MPP pushed me to achieve what I had set at the start'

'I achieved all my goals and gained greater confidence in myself'

'Developed a greater understanding of a wider range of activities throughout the University- things I would not have experienced in my usual job'

Past Mentor

'I enjoyed providing advice and guidance and watching my mentee grow'

'There is a strong feeling of satisfaction derived from helping someone achieve their goals'

'My personal highlight was being able to assist someone in formulating and articulating their goals and a plan of action'

How to apply

Applications for the Mentoring Partnership Program 2013 have now closed. To register your interest for the 2014 program please email Sherree Barbieri.

Calendar of events

Please note you can only download iCalendars using Internet Explorer

Follow these instructions to save the event into your Microsoft Outlook Calendar.

1. Click on the appropriate event link
2. Open the file (do not save at this point)
3. The meeting will open in Outlook, click save
4. The event will now appear in your Outlook calendar as a meeting

Tools for mentees/mentors

• Mentoring Diary Note (64 KB)
• Sample Mentoring Partnership Agreement (178 KB)
• Mentoring Partnership Agreement (92 KB)

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