Testimonials

Success Stories

Jimmy Zhu and mentor Malcolm Duce

Accountancy student Jimmy Zhu was awarded the Student Mentee of the Year Award for 2010, while his mentor Malcolm Duce received the Mentor of the Year Award.

Jimmy is an international student who joined the Career Mentor Scheme to learn more about working in Australia and to meet people within his chosen industry.

Jimmy was matched with long term mentor Malcolm Duce who works for Australasian Reporting Awards Limited (ARA) and has worked within the accountancy profession for more than 40 years.

Malcolm said in his nomination, “It is always a pleasure being a mentor for QUT students. This year, Jimmy’s talents and very positive attitude and achievements have given me the greatest satisfaction from the QUT Career Mentor Scheme in recent years. Jimmy will undoubtedly have a very successful career”.

Jimmy also nominated Malcolm for Mentor of the Year and said in his nomination “Malcolm did a brilliant job in helping me with my assessments; improving my understanding of the various subjects and explaining how the knowledge is being implemented in the ‘real world’. Malcolm volunteered large amount of his leisure time to help me and because of this intensified help, I not only achieved outstanding results for all five subjects I was doing, but also truly improved my knowledge and understanding of those subjects in a practical sense”.

Yunnie Hoang

Human Resource Management student Yunnie Hoang was awarded Mentee of the Year for 2010. Yunnie is an international student and was nominated by her mentor Hilary Langford from Oliver & Langford.

Hilary wrote in her nomination, “I have seen Yunnie’s self-belief and confidence grow throughout her year as Mentee, along with her English fluency. She sets impossible goals ... and then achieves them! I have felt privileged to be Yunnie’s Mentor, and I am sure her chances of a successful career in HR will be greatly enhanced by her involvement in the QUT Career Mentor Scheme”.

Testimonials

Mentor Testimonials

Being a mentor provides the satisfaction of being able to pass on my passion for the industry to the next generation.

- Elizabeth Main, Nursing Mentor

I have thoroughly enjoyed the interaction and believe that it is a mutually beneficial experience. I believe the program has enough flexibility to work well for all parties and I have found the meetings personally rewarding and very constructive.

- Sue Loan, Psychology Mentor

It is rewarding to provide mentees with knowledge about how the industry operates and assist them with their future career plans - as they say you always learn from your own mistakes so if you can pass that knowledge on to someone else it may just assist them in making the right moves the first time around.

- Cherriee Ludemann, Law Mentor

It is reassuring to discover that there are some very bright and dedicated students who will make a very positive difference to their communities during their career.

- Malcolm Duce, Accounting Mentor

Being a mentor give me an appreciation of the difficulties facing graduates in my profession. It also allows me to o reflect on what it was that drew me to the profession in the first place and what sustains my desire to continue.

- Vincent Brennan, Law Mentor

I enjoy helping students to achieve more in less time and giving them the confidence to achieve anything they dream about. If it is humanly possible they can achieve it.

- Michael Skepton, Management Mentor

Mentee Testimonials

It has been great to learn so much from my mentor in relation to my field of study. Just talking with my mentor and visiting their place of work has given me more knowledge about the field and possible career paths.

I was able to discuss concerns and interests with a practicing professional in the industry I want to work in as well as the opportunity to develop a network of professional contacts.

The Career Mentor Scheme has given me access to a real-world professional in the area I want to work who has introduced me to people and taught me about the profession I want to apply for.

My mentor has given me a better understanding about the realities of the industry; practical tips for building experience to be a better candidate for employment; dispelled myths about the industry, a professional's perspective on the direction of the industry and feedback about the quality of my work

I now have a better idea about what to expect when I start work. My mentor has shown me better ways to market myself when looking for employment and shared industry advice and their own experiences.

The Career Mentor Scheme helps to bridge the gap between uni and working life and is extremely valuable.