Applications are now open for the next round of the ACS Canberra Mentoring Program- starting from Feb 2025

14 Nov 2024
Highlights
 
Calling Canberra Members to become a mentor or mentee!
  • Members help members! Share your professional experiences and knowledge with people who need them in their profession life, click here to submite your application
  • There are benefits for both mentors and mentees
  • If you are not a member of ACS, join us now
  • Applications Close: 17 Jan 2025, 5:00 PM AEST

Australian Computer Society (ACS), Canberra is delighted to present the opportunity to all of its members to participate in our next round of the Mentoring Program. *This six-month program runs twice a year, in February and August.

The ACS Canberra Mentoring Program is a well-structured program with plenty of resources and professional development training for participants to be effective mentors or mentees; in addition, we conduct regular check-ins (monthly) or, as required, to ensure participants are engaged and supported if needed.

Members help members by exchanging their professional experiences and knowledge with people who need them, which can make a huge difference and impact on other people's lives.

We encourage you (Canberra members) to get involved and take advantage of this incredible opportunity by submitting your application ASAP to avoid disappointment. This top-rated program is considered our tech professionals' most valuable membership benefit.

Eligibility

  • The program is exclusive to current active financial ACS members located in Canberra at the time of application and during the program.
  • Professional Year members are not eligible at this time.
  • If you are not a member of ACS, you can join us now: https://www.acs.org.au/join-acs.html

Mentoring Matters. 

The purpose of Australian Computer Society (ACS) Canberra Mentoring Program is to provide an opportunity for members to help members; to connect individuals with those seeking advice and guidance to develop their careers.

  • A mentor is someone who has more experience than a mentee and can provide guidance and advice to the mentee to develop the skills, knowledge, and attitude required for the position and future professional life.
  • A mentee is someone who is willing to learn and take advice under the guidance of an experienced member (mentor), to improve and grow both personally and professionally in the specific field and professional life.

There are benefits for both mentor and mentee. 

  • Being a mentor goes far beyond the rewarding feeling of 'giving back'. Mentors also build on their leadership, coaching and story-telling skills.
  • Mentees gain a lot from being mentored, but it's not just career development, also other benefits as well including networking and professional connections.

Mentoring matching process

To participate, members provide details via online application process that identifies their needs and/or areas of interest. Once this is completed, the applications are assessed to produce possible Mentor and Mentee matches.

Guide for career stages

Most of us encounter five typical stages throughout our careers; which one is yours?

Stage 1: Exploration (starts career options and exploration, career goal setting for short and long-term, learning from others and focusing on networking, etc.)

Stage 2: Establishment (an emerging professional who has been working in ICT for less than 5 years and about developing expertise and beginning to move along your chosen path)

Stage 3: Mid-Career (professional working in ICT for more than 5 years, usually a time of stability and reaping the rewards of your experience and expertise, considering career promotion options and incorporating work-life balance as part of professional development by giving back by contributing and sharing your knowledge & experiences with people who are in need)

Stage 4: Late Career (continue their careers, stay the course, or transition into new fields or second careers)

Stage 5: Retired (Career transition, discover second-act Career Choices or giving back by contributing and sharing your knowledge & experiences with people who are in need)

Eligibility and requirements:

  • The program is exclusive to current financial ACS members located in Canberra at the time of application and during the program. Professional Year members are not eligible at this time.
  • The duration of the Mentoring Program is six months starting from February & August each year. 
  • Committement: Usually you will be committing to approximately 15 hours max over the six months time period.
  • The Mentor and Mentee agree to actively participate in the Program for the full duration of their engagement. But we also understand that life sometimes changes things and we can accommodate this when it occurs.
  • If you are not a member of ACS, you can join us now: https://www.acs.org.au/join-acs.html

Apply now!

Once your application is submitted, you will be contacted and advised the mentor & mentee match result and invited to the program launch on 15 Aug, where you will meet with your mentor or mentee and ACS staff in person. 

*Application closes: Fri, 17 Jan 2025, 5:00 PM AEDT. 

Key activity & dates for this round:

  1. Applications are open: 14 Nov
  2. Application closed: 17 Jan
  3. Mentors & mentees matching finalised: 23 Jan
  4. Mentor & Mentee match results are announced, and contact details will be shared between mentor & mentee: 24 Jan
  5. Information session for Mentors and mentees (via Teams) (5 Feb
  6. Program officially launch: 1 Feb, in person
  7. Program progress checking-in: Mar, via email & survey
  8. Mid-program catch up and educational session followed by networking: Apr, In-person
  9. Program progress checking-in: May, via email & survey
  10. Mid-program catch up and educational session followed by networking: Jun, In-person
  11. Program graduation for the previouse Mentoring Program (Aug 24 - Jan 25):  Aug 2024, In-person

Please contact ACS Canberra Branch acs.canb@acs.org.au if you are interested in being a mentor/or mentee.

About Australian Computer Society (ACS)

ACS is the professional association for Australia’s ICT sector. Our purpose is to promote Australian ICT resources for Australia to be a world leader in tech. With over 48,000 members across the nation, ACS provides professional development resources and support, to help members in re-skilling or up-skilling needs to improve their professionalism.

There are four types of membership, starting with Associate (AACS) membership and progressing through to Fellow (FACS).

  • As a member of ACS, you can use MySFIA to identify your skills gap and compare your skills against the internationally recognized SFIA Framework. SFIA is a global ICT skills framework tool that enables you to identify ICT skills and capabilities.
About the ACS Canberra Hub

The Hub is a custom-built collaborative space for members to drop by and use as a hotspot for meetings and events. Meeting room hire is also available to members and non-members. 

Click here to find out more about the room hire rate or click here  to book a room for your next meeting/event. 

Find out more about what ACS can do for you, your membership benefits, and what upcoming events we have planned for you.

 

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