PhD Plus Mentoring Program
2023 Mentoring Program Information
Intake 2, 2023 Expressions of Interest to PhD Candidates 24 April - 16 June
Do you want to be mentored?
Please see the Mentoring Program Flyer for Mentees. Click here to apply to be a mentee.
Interested in being a mentor?
Please see the Mentoring Program Flyer for Mentors.
With limited places in the program priority is given to candidates enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy (or PhD Plus) (course code MXP001 or 254HC/ 254LC) from Semester 2 onwards.
The aim of the mentoring program is to match PhD graduates or industry/sector professionals with current PhD candidates in a similar industry or research area. Mentors will share their expertise and insights from their candidature and/or their profession, combining instruction with affective support, and advocating for, and advising the mentee during their journey. Mentors may suggest resources and tools, writing tips, and provide advice on the submission processes. They may share their real-life experience, along with insights to transitioning within, or back to industry, and career advice.
For the mentor, the benefits include further development of leadership skills, exposure to new ideas approaches and perspectives, and growth of professional network. Mentors are valuable role models who can aid PhD candidates in their PhD candidature, pitching their research, and translating their skills to industry.
Mentees will obtain valuable support, advice, and feedback during their PhD candidature that will be beneficial into the future. They will receive help and advice with their candidature and how to pitch their research, exposure to different ideas and approaches, as well as insight into transitioning within, or back to, the industry. The mentoring program will also enable candidates to build and grow potential networks. Mentees will receive encouragement, suggestions, and feedback in their PhD candidate journey and beyond.
Mentees and mentors will be matched based on industry and research area. Mentors commit to 21 weeks of mentoring PhD candidates who have completed the first semester of their PhD.
Feedback from prior participants
“Promising program” – Candidate
“Great opportunities to meet new people” – Candidate
“I think the advice from seasoned practitioners and people who have actually made it through and out the other side of a PhD was really good.” – Candidate
“It has been great to meet my mentor, I never would have had the opportunity to meet her without this program, so that was fabulous” – Candidate
“It was a great opportunity for me to connect back to campus (from Singapore)” – Mentor, alumni
“It is great to be able to offer another perspective, as well as learn more about current research being undertaken” – Mentor
Program Timeline
Intake 2, 2023 | |
24 April | Expressions of Interest open |
16 June | Expressions of Interest close |
30 June | Notification of matching |
12 July | Orientation and launch - online |
14 July | Mentoring workshop - online |
20 September | Networking afternoon tea - in person |
Week of 25 September | Participant check-in - Email/phone |
2 October | Mid-point feedback survey sent |
24 November | Reflective submission due |
29 November | Program wrap up event and close - online |
29 November | Final feedback survey sent |
Program Requirements
Mentees are expected to attend all events and activities related to the program (where feasible to do so) and to be an active participant in the program. The table below outlines approximate time requirements and time commitments of the program:
Task | Time Involved |
Express interest | 30 mins |
Attend Orientation Event | 1 hour |
Attend mentoring workshop | 3 hours |
Ongoing meetings | 5-6 hours over whole program |
Preparation time (reviewing documents and preparing for meetings) | 2-3 hours over the whole program |
Mid-point survey | 10 mins |
| Social / networking afternoon tea | 1 hour |
| Short reflective assessment | ~1-2 hours |
End of program evaluation | 20 mins |
Wrap-up event | 1 hour |
Total time commitment | ~18 hours over 21 weeks |
If you have any questions, please email PhD.Plus@Canberra.edu.au