Overview

Mentors act as a source of information regarding industry experience, knowledge and advice. A mentor can provide guidance relating to career planning, skill development, networking and job search techniques. A mentor can inspire, encourage, and support you, and contribute to your professional and personal development. You can expect to strengthen and build your network, and gain the skills and confidence necessary to excel.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I choose a mentor? The information you provide in your application helps us to match you with the most appropriate mentor. The Chronus software uses an algorithm that suggests the best match for you by analysing the data in each participant's profile. 
• How will the Business Career Mentor Program run for? The program runs over a 30 week period. This ensures that both you and your mentor are able to fully benefit from the relationship. You are welcome to continue an informal mentoring arrangement beyond completion of the program should both parties wish to do so.
• The mentoring relationship is not going well or I have some concerns, what to do? We encourage letting the mentor know about the situation and contact the UniSA Business Careers team immediately. We will provide our full support to resolve the situation in a positive and satisfactory manner.

Mentee DO's

1. Drive the relationship, take the lead and show initiative.
2. Take a proactive role in shaping the relationship.
3. Understand what you want from the mentoring relationship and communicate your goals and aspirations to your mentor. Balance the personal and professional relationship with your mentor.
4. Set aside time for the mentoring process and keep all scheduled appointments with your mentor and display professional behaviour.
5. Realise that your mentor's time is valuable. Come to meetings with your mentor prepared with planned topics.
6. Respond in a timely manner to your mentor's feedback. Respond to emails from your mentor at most two days after receipt.
7. Be open and honest with your mentor about your challenges and weaknesses. 
8. If something concerning the mentor needs to be discussed with others, it should first be discussed within the mentoring relationship.

mentee DON'Ts

1. Ask for advice on everything. Have a purpose in each request.
2. Blame the mentor if his or her advice doesn't work out.
3. Expect the mentor to know all the answers.
4. Commit yourself to obligations you cannot keep.
5. Cancel meetings/visits with your mentor at the last minute.