This will be an opportunity for mentors, mentees, members and supporters of the STEM Sisters to meet each other.

Mentees are the ones who “steer the ships” of their lives and careers. Through this training, mentees will acquire useful skills to benefit from the valuable experience of the paired mentor. The techniques on how to better identify and achieve your personal and professional development goals are discussed (GROW model).

Mentor-Mentee introductory meet-up (arranged independently by participants).

Deep-drive with your mentor regarding your skills and improvement points. Put together a plan to enhance your best skills and improve your weak points.

Have you ever thought about building your network? Networking in Australia is the way to secure career connections. Discuss with your mentor how to go about making connections in your desired career direction. Make sure you have a LinkedIn profile and ask your mentor to review and connect with you. Put a plan together on how you can reach out to at least 2 new connections this week.

The networking event will provide an opportunity to network with other mentees and mentors also an opportunity to listen to industry speakers and networking opportunities for industry, education, STEM outreach, STEM marketing and research.

There are many types of communication. What is your communication style? What communication style do you struggle with?

This week, work with your mentor to discuss what communication styles or types you find the easiest and whether there is anything you could improve on from a communication point of view. Think about, whether you practice active listening, nonverbal communication such as eye contact, a friendly tone or a simple smile, etc.

Let’s work on your resume, cover letter, key selection criteria, and interview skills. Everyone has different approaches, learn from your mentor what is key to get noticed in the job application process in your STEM field.

The networking event will provide an opportunity to network with other mentees and mentors also an opportunity to listen to industry speakers and networking opportunities for industry, education, STEM outreach, STEM marketing and research.

What professional skills do you need to work on? 

Discuss with your mentor other development opportunities that could assist you in moving closer to your goal, big or small. Do you need to work on writing professional emails? Or, wanting to upskill in something more technical.

How do you make yourself stand out from the crowd of those recent STEM graduates? One particular way is to enhance your current skills through real-world experience. Volunteering can assist in showcasing that learnt knowledge and skills from your degree.

The closing of the mentoring program is just as important as the opening. It’s a chance to celebrate the learnings and achievements of mentees, thank the mentors for the energy they have given, share what has been learned, and discuss the next steps.