Are you interested in being a mentor?

Mentoring Australia describes mentoring as ‘a mutually beneficial relationship which involves a more experienced person helping a less experienced person to achieve their goals.’¹

Effective mentoring:

• Is a relationship that focuses on the needs of the mentee
• Fosters caring and supportive relationships
• Encourages all mentees to develop to their fullest potential
• Is a strategy to develop active community partnerships

Mentoring has proven to be rewarding to both the mentor and the mentee – each gain new skills, meet a range of new people and are exposed to new experiences.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact wt.admin@dpac.tas.gov.au. You may also be interested in registering with the online Tasmanian Women’s Register as a board candidate and mentor.

GIRL (Girls in Real Life) Mentoring Program

The aim of the GIRL Mentoring Program is to raise female students’ aspirations and awareness of life and/or career choices. Students volunteer for the program, and each is provided with their own individual mentor. As well as assisting students to make decisions about their future, the program offers many additional benefits, including personal development opportunities, problem-solving techniques, life management skills and above all, an increase in confidence, self-esteem, and motivation.

In 2009, the GIRL (Girls in Real Life) Mentoring Program is being run at Claremont College and New Norfolk High School.

Women Tasmania sources mentors for the participating schools if required and the schools nominate appropriate staff to take on the project management role and deliver the series of five group workshops throughout the year.

One of the most beneficial activities held during the workshops are mock interviews, where students undergo ‘interviews’ before a panel of three. Mentors assist their student to prepare for the interview by preparing a letter of application and resume for a ‘real’ job.

In between workshops, mentors take their student to their workplaces to ‘shadow’ them for a day, sometimes more often; assist them to obtain information about relevant careers, the necessary prerequisite subjects and to gather information about training courses and tertiary education if appropriate; take students to open days at colleges or the University; and meet for social outings, eg coffee, walks, movies. Many mentors also make a point of visiting the student’s family if appropriate.

The roles fulfilled by each mentor will differ according to her own life experiences, skills and knowledge, and according to the needs of her mentee, but the most important thing about the relationship is that it should always be positive and constructive.

See also:

Youth Mentoring Network

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