Mentoring is the answer

MIKE HOWELL, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS & ADRIAN BLADES, CAREERS EDUCATOR

Have you ever had a burning question about your career path or what to do next but are unsure who to ask? Perhaps you’re looking to change tertiary courses or career pathways, or searching for employment opportunities. ‘Mentoring’ is the answer..

The word ‘mentoring’ may seem daunting to some – they might fear it means a long-term, time intensive commitment, or worry about feeling inadequate in front of an experienced mentor.

In reality, mentoring can be a much more flexible and spontaneous experience. For some, ‘mentoring’ can be as simple as a brief, 10-minute conversation with another person in the right industry. For others, it might be a series of connections with a few different people whose experience you value. ‘Finding a mentor’ isn’t just of benefit to younger Old Collegians – we can all benefit from a mentor or new professional connection, even if we graduated 30 years ago! We can also be both mentor and mentee at any time as everyone has something to offer in terms of their life story.

For our Alumni:

Alumni mentoring through The Geelong College is facilitated by our online Alumni platform, TGC Connect. TGC Connect has over 3000 alumni registered. As Old Collegians, you can use it as a tool kit to suit your needs. It can be as simple as setting the search filters to find someone in your chosen field. Then, simply ask a question to get started. You might be wondering about next steps to career progression, have an idea you’d like to test out, or ask for situation based advice: ‘what would you do if you were in my position?’ If you’re unsure where to begin, our Alumni office can help facilitate your conversations or flash mentoring.

For current students:

The success of these mentoring relationships to date shows the open willingness of our College community to contribute and provide opportunities to our Alumni. It is heartening to note that this invaluable support by our Alumni is extended to current students, also.

“I often call upon Old Collegians to provide professional support to a fellow alumnus or current student, and the answer I receive is always ‘yes”’, says Adrian Blades, TGC Careers Educator.

“For example: Over the past six years, our Old Collegians have run a Preparation Session to assist current students with an interest in studying Medicine.

“Even the Careers Expo is mostly made up of Old Collegians and current parents sharing their professional experiences. “COVID-19 has sadly necessitated a few years’ hiatus, but we hope this event will be run again in May 2023 with similar levels of community support,” he said.

This community support goes both ways, also, with Alumni able to access support from the College Careers Department throughout their careers. As a College, we are proud of the contributions our Alumni community have made to date, and will continue to work together to develop and grow these important connections. Career development is a lifelong journey, and the support of The Geelong College doesn’t end at graduation. Your College community is part of your life, and we look forward to celebrating your career success along the way.

If you would like to find out more, please email: communityrelations@tgc.vic.edu.au

Learn more about mentoring through TGC Connect

Scan the QR Code to sign up or vist the platform

“I have gained two mentors from around the world who I speak to on a regular basis. They have both been integral parts of my professional and personal growth over the past year.”

Charlie Crozier (OGC 2016)

“TGC Connect has really helped me in understanding what career path to take by being able to talk to professionals in all different areas. You don’t realise how important this resource is until you start using it.”

Charlie Richardson (OGC 2018)

“Using this mentoring platform as I shift the focus of my career has been an excellent way to network and tap into the insights of other like-minded people. I have met with people in different sectors who generously gave me time and advice.”

Caitlin Lamont (OGC 2009)

How mentoring works through TGC Connect

Self-Directed

Find a Mentor

You use the search filters to find someone in your chosen industry with the experience you’re looking for. Log onto TGC Connect Contact us at the TGC Alumni Office

Be patient, do your research, be prepared and be proactive. The rewards will follow.

Assisted

An online chat

We will organise a one-onone chat to find out where you are at in your career and what you’re looking for in a mentor.

Need a little more help?

The Alumni Office also offer guidance around how to have the conversations you need to have along the way, and give you the resources to feel confident in the art of networking. Reach out

You make contact with your chosen mentor.

You and your mentor decide what happens next.

A coffee together? A couple of monthly catch-ups? Whatever works for you! Receive a shortlist of potential Mentors

We will research, based on your needs, and find some suitable matches using TGC Connect and our wider network.