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Become a peer mentor
Science
The Faculty of Science offers student mentoring programs each semester for undergraduate Science and postgraduate Sustainability students.
The Science Undergraduate Peer Mentoring Program provides commencing and continuing students the opportunity to connect with their peers, build networks, and learn about academic and co-curricular opportunities available through the Faculty of Science.
What’s involved
As a mentor, you will embark on a personal growth and learning journey. You will receive leadership, teamwork and communication skills training before being connected with a group of commencing students on the Faculty of Science Welcome Day. The program also offers peer networking opportunities, social events and a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
This is a volunteer role and is only available in person. As a Peer Mentor, you must commit 30 hours to the program. You are required to:
- complete a one-hour online training module before July 2024
- attend an in-person training day
- on Tuesday 16 July 2024 if you are a commencing mentor
- on Wednesday 17 July 2024 if you are a continuing mentor
- attend the Welcome Day event during Welcome Week
- on Wednesday 24 July 2024
- meet with your mentees several times during the program (between Weeks 1 and 7)
- complete short mentor reports/surveys in Chronus (a mentoring software platform)
- keep in touch with your students and be available to respond if they contact you.
Joining the Science Undergraduate Peer Mentoring Program as a Mentor gives you the opportunity to:
- receive practical training to build your leadership and problem-solving skills
- access exclusive professional development events and volunteering opportunities
- be part of Welcome Day and meet and interact with your mentees in a fun environment
- empower other students studying in your field by sharing your insights and supporting them in their academic journey
- participate in social events such as trivia, karaoke, board games and more, with food and prizes included
- gain great experience and skills to add to your résumé
- have the potential to take up a leadership role within the program, including becoming a mentor leader and potentially landing casual work within the faculty
- learn more about yourself and have fun along the way.
Once you've completed your mentoring program, you'll also receive a Completion of Program Certificate to add to your CV. If you meet the program's attendance expectations, you'll also receive a personalised certificate letter from the Dean of Science outlining the skills you developed during the program, which you may use to boost your employability.
If you have any questions, email the Faculty of Science, Student Engagement Team at science.student-engagement@sydney.edu.au.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply if you are completing a course at the Faculty of Science and have completed at least one year of study, in addition to being able to fulfil the requirements above.
Mentors must be enthusiastic and committed to supporting the students they are mentoring for the first seven weeks of the semester. By registering to be a Science Peer Mentor, you are indicating that you will attend the in-person training day on Tuesday 16 July 2024 if you are a commencing mentor or on Wednesday 17 July 2024 if you are a continuing mentor, and the Faculty of Science Welcome Day during Welcome Week (Wednesday 24 July).
How to register
Registrations for the Science Undergraduate Peer Mentoring Program Semester 2 are open.
What happens next
In the lead-up to Welcome Day, you will be paired up with a fellow Peer Mentor. At the beginning of Welcome Day you will be connected with your mentoring group and student mentees via Chronus.
All groups will attend a speed networking activity during Welcome Week, during which group members can connect with one another, and mentors can answer any questions from commencing students. The Welcome Day program will be further discussed during the Peer Mentor training.
Group meetings and activities
You are required to organise and attend different mentoring activities between Weeks 1 and 7 of the semester. You will have five mandatory sessions (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7) and two optional casual catch-ups (Weeks 4 and 6). Mentors and mentor leaders will have the opportunity during the semester to record their attendance at the activities attended/developed to be considered in the points system. If you meet these expectations, you will be sent a personalised certificate and a Letter for Employers from the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the end of the program outlining the skills developed, which may be used to enhance your CV.
We encourage you to organise additional meetings and events for your mentees, although this is not compulsory. These activities help you build rapport with your mentees and build their confidence in meeting other students. Mentors must complete three short reports on Chronus to satisfy the final requirements of the program.
Last updated: 04 June 2024
