Why mentoring made all the difference

Empowering students through mentorship

For Ashley Darvell, a final-year Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) student, joining the UOW Mentoring Program was an obvious choice. To give her career a winning start, Ashley immediately saw the program’s unique benefits.

“As soon as I saw this opportunity, I thought it aligned with what I want, and I’d be silly not to take it,” Ashley shared. “I love looking outwards and seeing what sort of opportunities I have at my fingertips.”

Ashley was paired with Kylie Gorman, Director of Disability and Mental Health at Life Without Barriers NSW/ACT, who brought a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to their mentoring relationship. The pair’s shared background in disability services created an immediate connection, which they leveraged to build a dynamic that was equally supportive and productive.

“Ashley has a wonderfully positive energy and is so eager to learn,” Kylie remarked. “I hope I helped her to recognise that her skills are transferable across various sectors and that there are opportunities to learn from applying for roles, even if not successful.”

Building confidence and career skills

Upon entering the workforce, confidence is often quoted as a significant hurdle for new graduates. But it’s an aspect where mentorship can make a difference. Kylie’s guidance helped Ashley to identify and articulate her existing strengths and boost her confidence as she approached the job market.

“She gave me the ability to promote what I already have in my CV,” Ashley explained. “She really helped me to step back and say, ‘Look, you’ve done this, this, and this. Use that and tailor it to different roles.’”

In addition to working on Ashley’s job application during the program, Kylie’s feedback gave Ashley a fresh, informed perspective. “It’s helpful having an experienced person sit you down and go through the different steps,” Ashley said. “I definitely had the foundations, but Kylie’s insights helped me build on them.”

"From the outset I knew that Ashley would be successful," says Kylie Gorman (left). "I hope I helped her to recognise that her skills are transferable across various sectors."

Graduates giving back

For Kylie, mentoring became a way to contribute and reconnect with UOW. In fact, 31 per cent of mentors are returning participants, having been involved with the UOW Mentoring Program in previous years.

“When I saw the callout for mentors, it sparked a real interest, and I knew I needed to sign up for this year’s program,” Kylie said.

“I have always found mentoring fulfilling, but this was an opportunity to hone my skills in a professional capacity outside of my immediate workplace.”

Kylie’s involvement also provided an array of personal and professional benefits. “My participation as a mentor allowed me to reflect on my own career and reconnect with the areas of my job that bring me the most satisfaction.”

Sparking a genuine connection

The UOW Mentoring Program is designed to create meaningful, structured relationships to benefit both mentees and mentors. Early in their partnership, Ashley and Kylie sat down and established clear goals, using these as a benchmark to track their progress.

“We outlined my aspirations and what I wanted to achieve,” Ashley recalled. “By the end of the program, we reviewed everything and realised we had accomplished pretty much all of it."

This sense of accomplishment was shared by Kylie, who credited the program’s structure and support for its success. “The team’s communication was exceptional, and it allowed me to go into the program with confidence,” she said. “I was lucky to be matched with an amazing mentee, and the process felt seamless.”

Participants in the Spring 2024 UOW Mentoring Program.

Launchpad for future success

As Ashley prepares to transition from university to the workforce, she feels better equipped to navigate the challenges ahead. “No matter how much preparation you do, it’s still nerve-wracking,” she admitted. “But I feel a lot more confident and informed now. It’s all about marketing myself as a future professional.”

For Kylie, the experience reaffirmed the importance of mentorship in building strong career foundations. “It’s incredibly rewarding to share knowledge and support someone in achieving their goals,” she said.

“Mentorship is about more than sharing knowledge—it’s about inspiring growth and building futures.”

Become a mentor in the Next UOW Mentoring Program, starting in March 2025.