Your Academic and Peer Mentor

Make new friends, learn all you need to know about getting set up for life at University, and discuss your study and career goals with an experienced Academic.

Your Academic and Peer Mentor

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You start your journey at University of Melbourne with a welcome that will set you on your way to an enriched university experience

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Start building new connections with support from an experienced student and Peer Mentor

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You can start shaping your future with the guidance of an accomplished academic in the Faculty of Business and Economics

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Melbourne Peer Mentor Program | Your 1st Semester |
First 5 weeks

Navigating the first few weeks of University can be tricky, that's why all first-year undergraduate students are matched with a peer mentor, someone who has been in your shoes, felt the excitement and had the same questions. Even better, they have the practical experience to help guide you and get you settled in.

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The process

Once you have submitted your preferences, then matched to a mentor, you are also grouped with other first-year students from your course, and all you have to do is turn up and start making connections and friends!

You will meet with your group five times throughout your first semester, providing you with a strong basis for building your networks and knowledge as you begin your journey at the University of Melbourne.

Learn more about the Melbourne Peer Mentor Program (MPMP)

Hear from BCom students as they share their MPMP highlights

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Academic Mentoring

The Academic Mentoring program is for all BCom students.

Academic Mentoring is conversations with an academic in your course to talk about your university experience, goals and passions. You set the agenda to suit your needs. You have the opportunity to meet once per semester.

Make it count!

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The Process

You get to take charge of your Academic Mentoring experience. You will receive a survey on how you prefer to be matched with a mentor.
You are matched to a mentor based on your preferences and availability.
Before sessions start, you will be prompted to book a time in with your mentor.
You attend your 30-minute meeting each semester, with an idea of what you would most like to know/ find out about/ explore.

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Supercharge your future and university experience

Tip #1: Come prepared
Want to find out how your mentor got started in their field, or what prospective employers in your field of interest are looking for?
Here is a bank of template questions that you could draw from.

Tip #2: Communication builds a foundation for your future
Practice your professional communication skills by sending your mentor an email to introduce yourself and what you would like to talk about (agenda). Remember to send your mentor a post-meeting email to start you off, here are some great email templates we have made to start you off.

Tip #3: Find out about your academic mentor
Your mentor's details are on your student portal (my.unimelb). Navigate to the "Advising and Mentoring" menu. Click on their "Find an Expert" link to see how their interests align with yours.

Learn more about Academic Mentoring

Isn't Academic Mentoring for people who need help?

No, it's not just about career guidance.
Throughout your academic journey your mentor can provide valuable insights and support, academic strategies and more.

You would be amazed at the guidance they can provide to help you make informed decisions about your future.

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The meetings were really insightful, and it was great to get a different perspective on my current situation, future plans and learn about the resources and options available to me at university.”

– Liam, Bachelor of Commerce

Associate Professor Helen Hu

What is one thing that might surprise your students once they get to know you? I speak four languages.

What is your favourite thing about being an Academic Mentor so far? Building better connections with my students.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about painting.

Department: Management and Marketing

Mr Noel Boys

What is one thing that might surprise your students once they get to know you? I'm not as dull as most accountants.

What is your favourite thing about being an Academic Mentor so far? I enjoy the pastoral nature of the role of Academic Mentor. It gives me the opportunity to let students see that I care about more than just whether they pass the exam in my subject. The prospect that I may stay in touch with a student years after they graduate because of the relationship developed during Academic Mentor sessions is appealing.

What are you passionate about? My family, the Hawthorn Football Club, any major sports team from Boston, Chocolate, good coffee, debunking the myth that Accounting is boring.

Department: Accounting

Professor Susan Ainsworth

What is one thing that might surprise your students once they get to know you? I'm a Professor who is also a current student (at another university). I re-enrolled in my Diploma in Modern Languages after a 3-year break because of a commitment I gave to two of the students in my academic advising group in 2020.

What is your favourite thing about being an Academic Mentor so far? Finding out how accomplished, well-rounded and extraordinary our students are. I was not so, at their age.

What are you passionate about? Making organisations and workplaces more just, inclusive and humane - addressing inequality and disadvantage through employment and education. Education has a transformative power and everyone should be able to access it.

Department: Management and Marketing

Meet some of our academic mentors

Click a picture to find out a little more about one of our many academics.

Associate Professor Helen Hu
Mr Noel Boys
Professor Susan Ainsworth

Contact us

Your Academic and Peer Mentoring team is here to ensure you have all the information you need to make the most out of your time at the Faculty of Business and Economics.

Send us your enquiry