MENTORING

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Connecting and supporting young rural people

We believe having a mentor can make a big difference in life. The purpose of the Youthrive Victoria Mentoring Program is to ensure young rural Victorians are well supported in life after school. We want people to be supported and connected as they study, train and develop their careers.

Mentors provide help and advice to the mentee in relation to studies, courses, training and other life skills. They can check in on wellbeing and can direct mentees to resources and support networks. They can assist in goal setting and managing study, training, work or adult life.

A mentoring relationship is a partnership where both people can learn. A mentor can be like a buddy, or they can have a more formal role. Our unique program encourages mentors and mentees to work out the type of relationship that will work for them.

Mentoring can take place face-to-face or through any form of technology that suits both people. Mentors and mentees participate in a brief training workshop and Youthrive Victoria staff are available to provide additional advice and support.

Would you like a mentor?

Any young rural Victorian who wants to be supported and to connect with other people is welcome to apply for a mentor.

We have four different types of mentoring:

Transition mentor –  a mentor who can help you with managing your first year at university

Career mentor – a mentor who can help with your career goals for any year after school

Vocational mentor – a mentor who can help with TAFE/vocational courses or apprenticeships

Community mentor –  a mentor who can help with community connections and leadership skills

Sign up for Mentoring here!

Would you like to become a mentor?

We are looking for more mentors to join our pool of amazing mentors. Transition mentors tend to be current students and career and vocational mentors can be anyone interested in supporting a young rural person through study, training and work. Community mentors can support a young person develop leadership skills and community networks.

Mentors volunteer to support a young rural Victorian and share their experiences of being a rural person participating in post-school education and/or developing their careers in a rural or regional setting.

We need mentors from a range of jobs and career paths who enjoy working with young rural people as they embark on their post-school studies, training or careers. The mentoring commitment is negotiated between both parties but is usually once a month either in person or via email, Facebook, Skype etc. We welcome expressions of interest from mentors.

Criteria to be a Mentor

Mentors who have the following attributes are encouraged to apply:

  • Experience living or working in rural or regional areas
  • An interest in nurturing young people and familiarity with the issues they will face
  • A genuine interest in developing people who will contribute to rural and regional Victoria
  • A good understanding of tertiary/vocational education, career pathways and future directions
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and sufficient time to devote to the relationship
  • Respect for confidentiality
  • Capacity to participate in mentor training
  • Familiarity with social networking, email, Skype or phone as primary means of contact.

Transition Mentors

Can you be a buddy to rural students transitioning to uni?

Youthrive Victoria is seeking university students who have successfully transitioned from rural-life to university-life.

By being an Youthrive transition mentor you will have the opportunity to:

  • Help a first year university student settle in to their new environment
  • Guide your buddy around a new and big institution and community
  • Share your passion for learning and for rural sustainability
  • Inspire your mentee to achieve their academic goals
  • Be rewarded by developing your own mentoring skills

 

The Role of a Transition Mentor:

Your commitment to mentoring a first year student will make a difference to their success in study or training, and in turn, the future of rural and regional Victoria.

You will be matched with a student who has similar academic interests, and is possibly from the same university/TAFE, course and/or geographic region. You will be provided with mentor training and support, and encouraged to use your knowledge, empathy and leadership skills to help your mentee manage their first year of study or training.

The time commitment will be mutually agreed by the participants, and following an initial face-to-face training meeting, could be as little as monthly email or phone contact. It is expected that the official mentor-mentee relationship will continue for one year, with future contact at the discretion of those involved.

Career Mentors

Dynamic career mentors are wanted to inspire emerging rural talent.

Youthrive Victoria is seeking applications from established professionals who can:

  • Share their passion for their chosen profession
  • Guide tertiary students wanting to work in country Victoria
  • Share their first-hand experiences of working in rural Victoria
  • Open up possibilities and rural networks for young rural achievers

This is an outstanding opportunity for professionals who wish to become involved in community partnerships and professional leadership programs in rural and regional Victoria, and who have a genuine desire to nurture emerging talent.

 

The Need

There is an urgent need for mentors to support rural Victorian university students and to give them opportunities to plan and develop their careers in rural and regional communities.

We currently have tertiary students from a wide range of courses including science, medicine, law, health sciences, nursing, welfare, agriculture, business, education, the arts, and many others who have registered their desire to be mentored by established professionals who have an understanding of working in rural Victoria.

The Role

As a career mentor you will help our future rural leaders realise their dreams of living and working in country Victoria.

You will be matched with a tertiary student who has similar academic and professional interests, and is possibly from the same geographic region. You will be provided with mentor training and support, and encouraged to use your professional empathy and leadership skills to coach your mentee towards their full potential.

The time commitment will be mutually agreed by the participants, and following an initial face-to-face meeting, could be as little as monthly email or phone contact. It is expected that the official mentor-mentee relationship will run for one year with future contact at the discretion of the participants.

Rural Chances Vocational Mentors

We are looking for people to mentor or be a buddy for young people undertaking TAFE, vocational training or apprenticships.

Rural Chances Vocational Mentors support recipients of our Rural Chances scholarships and other young Victorians in training or apprenticeships. Vocational mentors provide advice, encouragement, links to networks and act as a buddy for a young person in training.

Youthrive Victoria is seeking applications from people who can:

  • Share their passion for their chosen profession, vocation or trade
  • Guide young people wanting to work in country Victoria
  • Share their first-hand experiences of working in rural Victoria
  • Open up possibilities and rural connections for young people

This is an outstanding opportunity for professionals who wish to become involved in community partnerships and professional leadership programs in rural and regional Victoria, and who have a genuine desire to nurture emerging talent.

The Need

There is an urgent need for mentors to support rural Victorian you people in training and apprenticeships and to give them opportunities to plan and develop their working lives in rural and regional communities.

We currently have vocational students from a wide range of courses including building, plumbing, aged care and disability, mechanics, design, electrical, cookery, hospitality, vet nursing, dental nursing, engineering and more.

The Role

As a Vocational mentor you will help a young person realise their dreams of living and working in country Victoria. You will be someone other than their employer or boss who they can turn to for advice, encouragement and support. Your role is low key but very important.

You will be matched with a trainee or apprentice who has similar interests, and is possibly from the same geographic region. You will be provided with mentor training and support.

The time commitment is planned by you and the mentee and could be as little as monthly email or phone contact. It is expected that the official mentor-mentee relationship will run for up to one year with future contact at the discretion of the participants.

Community Mentors

A community mentor is someone who is keen to work with a young person who is living in a rural community and to help them develop their community engagement and leadership skills.

The Need

Many young people choose to stay within their communities and they may become leaders. A community mentor works with a young person who has left school and provides mentoring support, encouragement, advice, friendship and opportunities for personal and leadership development within the local community and beyond.

We know rural communities need great young people to be the next generation of leaders. Youthrive Victoria Community Leader scholarships provide leadership development training to the recipients. You could become a mentor for one of the recipients or another young person in your community.

Sign up as a Mentor or Mentee!

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