FAQs
- Why do mentors participate?
- Why do students participate?
- Can anyone be a mentor?
- Which disciplines are involved?
- What are the time commitments?
- Are students insured?
- Is this work experience?
- What role does QUT play?
- What library benefits are offered?
- Personal satisfaction - being able to offer guidance and support to an enthusiastic student;
- University course content - opportunity to keep up to date with contemporary issues and new learning;
- Sourcing of students - for employment or work experience purposes;
- Networking opportunities - with both mentors and students within their field;
- Links with QUT - establishing or maintaining links with the university;
- Personal self development - reflective practice allows mentors to consolidate their own skills and knowledge;
- Management skills development - managerial practice for those currently in or aspiring to management positions. Mentors often include this experience in their professional development or on their resume;
- QUT Visitor Card - mentors can obtain a card allowing access to library borrowing facilities and QUT databases.
- Industry Contact - links with industry professionals;
- Industry Discussions - discuss key industry trends/issues and specific industry challenges from an insider’s perspective;
- Networking Opportunities - through functions and contacts provided by your mentor;
- Advice and Feedback - on topics such as applications and resumes, comments on your current employment finding practices and advice on study and/or future specialisations;
- Career Development - ask about career path prospects and advice about companies and positions;
- Develop Relationships - build a friendship, increase opportunity for good references and referees;
- Real Workplaces - possibility of workplace visits, work shadowing and/or work experience.
Mentors do not need any formal training to be part of this Scheme , however a mentor would typically have at least five years experience in their chosen profession. This is a guide only as some mentors have over twenty years experience whilst some have as little as two.
Which disciplines are involved?
Business
Accountancy
Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations
Finance and Economic
Human Resource Management
International Business
MBA
Management
Creative Industries
Acting and Technical Production
Animation
Creative Writing and Literary Studies
Dance
Digital Media
Drama
Entertainment Industries
Fashion
Film, TV and Screen
Indigenous Creative Industries
Interactive and Visual Design
Journalism, Media and Communication
Music and Sound
Education
Early childhood education
Primary education
Secondary education
Health
Clinical Exercise Physiology
Exercise and Movement Science
Health Information Management
Health Services Management
Psychology
Nutrition and Dietetics
Paramedic
Podiatry
Public Health
Social Work and Human Services
Nursing
Optometry
Radiography
Built Environment and Engineering
Architecture
Construction Management
Engineering
Industrial Design
Interior Design
Landscape Architecture
Urban and Regional Planning
Property Economics
Quantity Surveying
Spatial Science
Women in Engineering
Science and Technology
Applied Science
Information Technology
Library Information Management
Mathematics
Pharmacy
Biomedical science
Law and Justice
Justice Studies
Law
What are the time commitments?
The Scheme runs annually over the university year, March until October. As a general guide, mentors and students make contact for approximately one hour each fortnight during this time.
Contact can include face-to-face meetings, workplace visits, emails, telephone calls or facilitating work exposure within the industry.
QUT maintains four types of insurance policies that cover students while they are involved in the Scheme - Personal Accident, Professional Indemnity, Public Liability and Medical Malpractice. For more information on the policies, please refer to Insurance.
The QUT Career Mentor Scheme is not a work experience program and no promise of employment is made or sought in a mentoring relationship. However, work experience may result from the mentor relationship and QUT insurance will be able to cover students for the duration if this eventuates.
QUT offers support by providing a full-time coordinator who is available to advise and assist mentors and students with any issues that may arise. The coordinator will also conduct progress reports and an end-of-year evaluation of the Scheme .
QUT will make the initial match between mentors and students and facilitate contact between both parties. Briefing sessions will be held in order to ensure that students and mentors are prepared and have clarity on their goals and expectations as well as a discussion of useful activities for the Scheme. Other materials will also be provided to both parties in order to aid the mentoring process.
What library benefits are offered?
As a benefit of being part of the Scheme , QUT allows its mentors to access a QUT visitor card.
Using the staff card, mentors gain access to the following resources:
- QUT ID card
- QUT Intranet - QUT access username/password and an email account will be created. Client will be able to access email, QUT Virtual and/or another generic access available to all QUT visitors.
- QUT Library (including book borrowing rights and access to databases)
In order to get this card you must be matched with a QUT student and have provided your details (including a date of birth) to the Career Mentor Scheme Coordinator. Go to how to access a QUT visitor card for further information.