Arts Career Mentoring

Congratulations on being proactive about your career planning by considering participating in this program. The career mentoring is a program that matches Faculty of Arts graduate students and industry experts who are also alumni of the university. As an experienced industry professional, a mentor can provide guidance and support to help you navigate your career with confidence. This annual mentoring partnership runs from July to November.

Why do I need career mentoring?

Career mentoring can help you translate your Arts studies into meaningful career pathways. A mentor can offer real‑world insights into various industries, and help you evaluate or reflect on how your strengths, interests and values align with potential roles. They can also support you to build confidence, expand your professional network, and strengthen the way you present yourself in applications.

By taking part in career mentoring, you will have the opportunity to:

  • gain clarity around your personal career interests and how they connect to your Arts discipline;
  • identify and shape a career strategy that feels authentic;
  • learn how different Arts‑related professions and industries operate — from galleries and cultural institutions to public policy, publishing, media, community organisations and beyond;
  • grow your professional network within fields you care about;
  • develop communication, presentation and networking skills that are essential
  • refine your CV, portfolio and interview technique to present your strengths with confidence.

Mentoring Structure and Matching Process

The career mentoring program runs in Semester 2 each year.

When matching mentors and mentees, we look at your preferred career and interest areas of both individuals and match accordingly (depending on availability and match). Key features of the mentoring program include:

  • 5-months commitment running from July to November;
  • mentoring pairs are expected to meet at least 3 times over the course of the program;
  • the frequency, length and format of meetings are discussed at the first mentoring meeting;
  • your meeting schedule and mentoring goals are outlined in a mentoring agreement which all participants should sign;
  • resources and training including a Mentee Preparation Workshop are provided to support you throughout the program.

When matching you with a mentor, we’ll take into consideration:

  • whether your preferences match with available mentors;
  • your motivations for participating in the program;
  • your level of commitment to the program, such as completion of the Preparing for Mentoring LMS module.

Please note: Selection into Arts Career Mentoring is at the discretion of the Faculty of Arts. The Faculty has the right to, at its sole discretion, terminate or revoke an invitation to participate.

We will do our best to match you to a mentor, however, a mentoring partnership cannot be guaranteed.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for career mentoring if you are a current Faculty of Arts student who is enrolled in graduate coursework study, except Master of Leadership Development.

Applications

Applications for 2026 Arts Career Mentoring are closed.

2026 Key Dates

  • Monday 13 April: Applications open to all graduate coursework students
  • Friday 22 May: Applications close at 5pm 
    Note: Places are limited. If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close applications earlier than the advertised date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
  • Week commencing 13 July: Application outcomes and partnerships announced
  • Week commencing 20 July: Mentee Preparation Workshop
  • July - November: Regular (at least monthly) meetings with mentor
  • November: Program concludes

Melbourne Plus Recognition

From 2026, Career Mentoring is an eligible activity for Melbourne Plus; the University’s co-curricular recognition program that helps you build employability skills and earn verified digital credentials. By participating in career mentoring and submitting a short reflection, you can earn the Global Citizenship Melbourne Plus digital credential, if you have not previously obtained a Global Citizenship Melbourne Plus credentials through other eligible activities.

Learn more about Melbourne Plus recognition for career mentoring here.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Volunteer mentors participating in the program come from diverse backgrounds. We match students and mentors based on preferences, including industry, study area, gender or other criteria indicated. If your preferences don’t match available volunteers, or if you didn’t submit a detailed application, you may not be matched with a mentor. In this instance, we’ll discuss other available options with you.

    You will not be able to choose your mentor.

    If you have any questions prior to the matching process, please contact the Program Officer directly via foa-mentoring@unimelb.edu.au

  • Yes, it is possible. However, the mentoring relationship aims to expand your knowledge of career options and the working world. You can still learn a lot from a mentor in another field of work, so we ask you to keep an open mind. While you can specify preferences in your application, highly specific criteria may limit your chance of being matched.

  • This program runs annually so please wait until you meet the eligibility criteria before applying. In the meantime, you can join the university’s online networking platform, Ask Alumni, to connect with alumni for career support and guidance.

  • Once matched, it’s expected that you initiate at least 3 meetings with your mentor during the semester. Meetings may be 30 minutes or longer, depending on individual preferences and needs. Meetings should be scheduled at a time that suits both parties, and you should work around your mentor’s schedule. The frequency of meetings can be negotiated at your first meeting.

    Between meetings with your mentor, you’ll want to reflect on discussions and put learnings and advice into action.

  • The format of the meetings (in person, online, or a combination of both) should be discussed in the initial communication. Should you choose to meet via an online platform, we recommend using software such as Teams or Zoom. Recommended meeting places for in-person meetings could include on-campus, your mentor’s place of work (during business hours), a public library, or a quiet café.

  • The success of a mentoring partnership is dependent on your initiative and commitment to engage with your mentor. Results from previous programs show that the more often mentees meet with their mentor, the higher their satisfaction with the program. You’ll develop valuable skills, experiences and knowledge by participating; the more you put in, the more you’ll get out of it!

    You need to commit to:

    • be available in Semester 2 to meet with a mentor;
    • take responsibility for initiating and maintaining the mentoring connection throughout the program, ensuring you meet at least three times;
    • communicate regularly and promptly with your mentor;
    • prepare for meetings by considering discussion topics and questions beforehand;
    • honour your meeting commitments and be punctual and/ or reschedule proactively if you cannot make it or run late;
    • keep shared information confidential;
    • make use of the support resources available including:
    • the Preparing for Mentoring LMS module.
    • the Mentee Preparation Workshop (date confirmed once partnerships are announced).

  • Melbourne Plus is the University of Melbourne’s co-curricular recognition program that helps you build valuable skills, meaningful experiences, and receive verified digital credentials you can share on your resume or LinkedIn. Mentees who participate in Education career mentoring, meet eligibility requirements, and submit their Melbourne Plus reflection will earn the Global Citizenship digital credential. This capability recognises students who engage with diverse perspectives and develop an understanding of global issues.

  • If you have met eligibility requirements for the digital credential after completing the mentoring program, you will be enrolled in a Melbourne Plus LMS Community where you can complete a reflection on your development and receive the Global Citizenship digital credential.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about Arts Career Mentoring, contact us at foa-mentoring@unimelb.edu.au