After two successful rounds in 2024, Round 3 of ACUR’s mentoring program will run in 2025. ACUR wants to support student researchers with the opportunity to receive mentorship from professionals in all fields in academia and industry.
We believe that research should be introduced early in their education during their undergraduate studies. Not every student can afford to continue onto a master’s degree and PhD and those that do face job uncertainty and risk being overqualified.
To help the next generation face rapidly changing technology and an age of information, we advocate and strive to provide a platform for proactive students that are completing research in their undergraduate studies and want to further support their growth because the need for highly valuable skills like critical thinking and research in the next generation is paramount and requires support.
The aim of the mentoring program is for the mentor to provide students guidance on:
– increasing the student’s undergraduate research profile
– CV and interview help
– career/industry career advice
– research presentation preparation and advice
– networking advice.
Mentoring Testimonials:
Here is what some mentees said about the Mentoring Program in 2024:
Fiona (Mentee): “The ACUR Mentoring Program allowed me to connect with an established, successful researcher and academic in my area of study. Throughout our one-on-one mentoring sessions, I was empowered to recognise my strengths and actively targeted my weaknesses to grow as a young researcher. My mentor listened to me, made me feel heard, and validated my concerns about a career in research. She created a space environment for us to talk openly about anything I needed help with.”
Arman (Mentee): “Joining the ACUR Mentoring Program has affected me in growing confidence in research opportunities. I have learned some vital lessons through meaningful discussions: how to approach supervisors effectively, how to show interest in research, and how to apply for multiple projects smartly. My understanding of the suggestion points by my mentor on practical experience and proactive networking widened my perspective and encouraged the search for research opportunities outside the UNSW nexus, nationally and internationally. The actions have now positioned me in my research journey and preparation for a career ahead.”
Josh (mentee): My mentor was fantastic. She was very flexible and was able to guide me in areas that go beyond research, and into other real world applications. I was able to bounce all of my ideas off of her to get ideas on my next career steps. I was able to discuss a future role as a mentor, applications of my studies to clinical and organisation settings, and opportunities for authorship.”
Program guideline:
The mentoring program will be 4 x 1-hour fortnightly mentoring sessions between May to July 2025.
If you are interested in joining the list of Mentees for Round 3, 2025, please click this link: Mentees Expression of Interest
