Zoe

What inspired you to become a mentor in the ArtsEd Peer Mentoring Program?

When I first got the invitation to become an ArtsEd Peer Mentor, I was so honoured and excited. For I hadn’t yet found my crowd at university and something inside me knew that this could be it!

I had learned a lot in my first two years of study, including all that Deakin had to offer its students to help them succeed. I knew that moving into tertiary education or changing universities could be overwhelming, so I was inspired to give advice and referral to students who also had experienced the same challenges as me.

How has being a mentor impacted your own university journey or personal growth?

Not only has Peer Mentoring strengthened our Mentees commitment to their education, but it has also strengthened my own. It has fostered in me a new sense of accountability and motivation, especially as I transitioned to post graduate studies halfway through my Mentorship.

It has also been another opportunity to exercise Deakins Graduate Learning Outcomes beyond the classroom, helping me accomplish the core knowledge, practical abilities and professional skills required upon graduation.

Can you share a memorable moment or highlight from your time as a mentor?

The opportunity to meet our Mentees in person is a highlight for me almost every Trimester. Hearing how much the peer mentoring program assists them into settling into university life reminds me why we have the program in the first place. Especially as a Senior Mentor, obtaining testaments of support and gratitude from the Mentees and passing it onto the Mentors is always so uplifting.

Furthermore, Mentoring is special as it reaches out to those students who may feel underrepresented and/or lost at university. Providing these students a sense of being belong to a larger community by providing support, advice and encouragement is at the heart of what we do. Thereby witnessing the cycle of certain Mentees then becoming Mentors is another highlight.

How has the program helped you build connections with other students or the ArtsEd community?

Meeting other students from our ArtsEd community has strengthened my sense of campus culture here at Deakin, through meeting students who are committed to the creation of a collaborative and inclusive learning environment. Our Mentors and Mentees are also extremely talented artists and educators, who constantly inspire my own creativity and practice.

Further, the opportunity to meet and work with academic staff has been amazing, especially as many of these scholars and professionals were my lecturers at one stage. Interpersonal and networking skills are incredibly valued as we transition to the workforce, so getting the opportunity to liaise with these staff members was invaluable. It’s incredible to say that I have had Unit Chairs and Heads of Schools offer to be a reference or simply take me out to coffee so they can discuss with me what’s next after university.

What would you say to a student considering becoming an ArtsEd Peer Mentor?

I hope we all enrol into university not just to get a degree, but to take advantage of opportunities. Being asked to apply for a student leadership role not only validates the academic success you have worked so hard for, but it is enriching as others see your potential to be positive role model and effect change.