WHY MENTOR WITH ABCN?

• You will make a tangible difference in a young person’s life
• It’s personally transformative
• It’s an amazing professional development experience that you share with peers 

If your question is not answered below please contact us direct on acceleratescholarships@abcn.com.au.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the purpose of the scholarship mentoring program?

The Accelerate Program aims to support high school students in exploring career pathways, building confidence, and preparing for further study or employment through guidance from experienced mentors, financial assistance and a skills development program.

How are students selected for the scholarship?

Our scholars have been individually nominated by their school based on their academic and personal motivation and have been identified as potentially benefiting from additional support in planning their future career.  Students are nominated by their school and apply.  This is assessed by our independent scholarship review panels across relevant criteria before worthy recipients are determined.

Where are the students from?

Students we work with are from a wide range of backgrounds, including those who are culturally and linguistically diverse.

How old are the students participating?

Students apply for the program in year 10 (mostly aged 15-16 years old) and commence at the start of year 11.  They complete the program after three years (mostly aged 18-19 years old).

How long is the mentoring commitment?

Mentors commit to a minimum of two years and are encouraged to continue for a third year if possible.  Mentors are supported by the Accelerate team throughout the program.

How much time should I expect to dedicate to my mentee?

On average, mentors spend 2-3 hours per month.

What are the benefits for mentors?

Mentors find the experience both personally and professionally rewarding. The program gives them the opportunity to gain fresh perspectives, learn about different cultures and communities, improve communication and coaching skills while making a meaningful impact.

What is expected of me as a mentor?

The most important thing for a mentor to do is ‘show up’ for the young person they are mentoring. This means maintaining regular communication with their mentee via our app, MentorPRO at least once per month, attending scheduled workshops and events (quarterly over two years) Mentors are also expected to support their mentee with career and future pathways guidance.

Will I receive any training to support me?

We provide onboarding and support throughout the program via information sessions, webinars and learning modules via our app, MentorPRO. Support is always available if mentors require assistance or guidance throughout the program.  We anticipate that most mentors will have a level of experience mentoring and/or coaching and leading people to be selected as a mentor for the program.

What kind of support will I provide to my mentee?

Support may include sharing career experiences, helping with goal setting and tracking, time management, job interview coaching and being a sounding board for ideas and challenges.  Our MentorPRO app provides relevant resources to support you. .

How are mentors matched with students?

Matches are based on shared interests, career goals, and personality fit to ensure a productive and positive relationship.  The more you tell us on your expression of interest form, the better match we can make with a potential mentee.

What types of events am I expected to attend?

Events may include online or in-person skills development workshops, that are  designed to be engaging, fun, and impactful.

What happens if I change my job during the program?

These situations are assessed on a case-by-case basis.  Mentors are from our ABCN network of member companies, but we try and support the continuation of a mentoring relationship where possible and practical.

What are the boundaries of the mentor-mentee relationship?

Mentors provide career and personal professional development support but are not expected to act as counsellors or solve personal issues. Clear boundaries are outlined during training and should any situation arise we ask that you contact us immediately.