If you're keen to connect with other students, share experiences and have fun, consider joining the Professional Futures Peer Mentoring Program.
The Professional Futures Peer Mentoring Program supports health and sports science first year students in the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences (HMNS) and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) through their transition to university, academic adjustment and preparation for placements and career.
As a mentee in the Program, you will connect with a small group of your fellow students who are also enrolled in your study program here at UQ. You will be matched with peer mentors who will be in the later years of your study program. These peer mentors will draw upon their own lived experiences to provide insight and advice on topics specific to your first-year student group.
Professional Futures is a year-long peer mentoring program for students in SHRS and HMNS.
Learn more about Professional Futures below.
Are you a first year student?
Do you want help navigating your transition to UQ, settling into your academic studies, and learning about your future career pathway?
Do you want ideas, resources and support from students who have already completed first year in a similar or the same program as you?
Do you want to connect with other first years?
Why should first year students join the Professional Futures Peer Mentoring Program?
Starting university, can be challenging. Some students find the demands hard to adjust to, others find it challenging balancing study with other aspects of their life such as external work commitments or parenting and other carer roles. SHRS and HMNS recognise the importance of supporting first-year students as they transition into their university programs.
As a first year in this program, you will also grow your professional networks, explore opportunities and build your career path.
Information about the program for first year students (mentees
By joining this program, you will be joining a small group of your fellow first year students along with two peer mentors, all who are studying the same SHRS program as you. You will connect as a group online and face-to-face.
When does it start?
Professional Futures mentoring starts in week 1 or 2, semester 1.
This is a time when you’ve already commenced your program of study, have received a lot of new information, but…… you may still have questions, you may be unsure where to go for help or just want to meet other first year students.
In week 1 or 2 of semester, you will meet your peer mentors and fellow first-year group members in an online mentoring platform. You can continue to connect through this online platform with your peer mentors with information, tips and ideas tailored to these three topics:
Navigating life @ UQ
This includes information to help you transition to university life. It may include information or resources on UQ technology, library spaces and resources, UQ events and activities, parking or where to eat or grab a coffee when on campus.
Studying @ UQ
Peer mentors will share with you, their ideas to help with study related topics e.g. where to seek help, UQ study support, tips on writing assignments or for exams. Peer mentors may also share their own tips/tricks e.g. lecture note taking, study habits.
My career @ UQ
Whilst you have just started your degree, peer mentors will share information about future practicum placements, videos of student experiences whilst on prac/placement and links to information on career resources e.g. how to write a resume, how to build your employability right from the start. Both peer mentors and first year students may have the opportunity to attend workshops with the careers advisor.
First year student eligibility
Professional Futures is available for first year undergraduate or first year master’s students in the following programs offered in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS):
- Intro - Master of Occupational Therapy Studies
- Intro - Master of Speech Pathology Studies
- Year 1 Master of Audiology
- Year 1 Master of Physiotherapy Studies
- Year 1 Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
- Year 1 Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
- Year 1 Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
As a first-year student enrolled in a SHRS Program, you will automatically be enrolled in the Professional Futures Peer Mentoring Program.
You will be sent information closer to the start of Semester 1 to set up your profile in the online mentoring platform and learn more about how the program will work.
Are you a second, third or fourth year undergraduate or second year master’s student?
Do you want a new leadership opportunity? The opportunity to meet and support fellow students, earn employability hours, build your CV, and be eligible to receive an award?
Become a peer mentor
A mentor is a guide. A friend. A resource who paves the way to success and derives satisfaction from helping others succeed. Your role as peer mentor is to inspire, encourage, and support your first-year students, and to contribute to their professional and personal development. As a peer mentor, you will be asked to draw upon your own lived experiences to provide insight and advice on topics specific to your first-year student group.
Benefits to becoming a Peer Mentor
- ADVANCE your leadership skills
- EARN employability hours to contribute to the UQ Employability Award
- GROW your network with your peers and make new friends
- SUPPORT your School community
- DEVELOP communication, collaboration, and partnership skills by working with another peer mentor
Peer mentoring in groups
Mentoring will occur in groups, with a small group of first-year students grouped with two peer mentors, specific to your study program. Together, as peer mentors, you will share your knowledge, connect, and support the first years in your group as they commence their study.
Training and leadership opportunities
Peer mentors will receive leadership training and may have the opportunity to attend a workshop with the careers advisor during the year. The peer mentoring program is all set up for you. Peer mentors will receive tips, guidance, and links to resources throughout the year to help make the mentoring experience a success. The peer mentors’ job is to tailor the information you receive by drawing upon your own lived experiences to provide insight and advice on topics specific to your first year student group.
Professional Futures Peer Mentoring program is an employability award approved activity.
Who can apply to be a peer mentor?
We’re looking for students with a range of interests and experiences from a variety of programs across the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS):
Students from second, third- or fourth-year undergraduate programs in one of the following programs can apply to be a Professional Futures peer mentor:
- Master of Occupational Therapy Studies
- Master of Speech Pathology Studies
- Master of Audiology
- Master of Physiotherapy Studies
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
- Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
All new Professional Futures peer mentors will need to attend mentor training. If you are interested in being a mentor, please email the Professional Futures Project Coordinator.