Fine Arts and Music Career Mentoring

As you think about life beyond your studies you may be wondering how to shape a career around your creative practice.

Fine Arts and Music Career Mentoring matches students with industry professionals who can offer guidance on navigating professional pathways, building networks, and developing complementary skills alongside your artistic training.

Why join Fine Arts and Music Career Mentoring?

Through one‑to‑one conversations with an experienced professional, mentoring gives you the opportunity to explore career pathways, build confidence, and gain insight into the professional realities of working in and beyond the creative industries. The program is designed to complement your creative work by focusing on the broader skills and perspectives that support sustainable careers. Your mentoring relationship provides the opportunity to discuss your goals, questions, and concerns, and to receive tailored guidance based on what you want to get out of the experience. Being mentored is a great way to:

  • Explore different career pathways, industries, and further study options related to your interests.
  • Gain insight into professional life and how creative practitioners navigate work, projects, and career transitions.
  • Build confidence in networking, professional communication, and career decision‑making.
  • Develop practical skills such as presenting your experience, articulating your strengths, and preparing for professional opportunities

Please not that as this is a pilot program, the 2026 intake will focus on students in the Visual Arts and Film and Television disciplines. Please see the eligibility section below for further details.

Fine Arts and Music Career Mentoring will run as a pilot program in Semester 2, 2026. When matching mentors and mentees, we look at the preferred career and interest areas of both individuals and match accordingly.
Key program features include:

  • 5-month commitment running from July to November.
  • Mentoring pairs are expected to meet (online or in-person) at least 3 times over the course of the program.
  • The frequency, length and format of meetings are discussed at the first mentoring meeting. Mentoring pairs are expected to meet (online or in-person) at least 3 times over the course of the program.
  • The frequency, length and format of meetings are discussed at the first mentoring meeting.
  • Your meeting schedule and mentoring goals are outlined in a mentoring agreement which all participants should sign.
  • Resources and training including a Mentee Preparation Workshop are provided to support you throughout the program.

When matching you with a mentor we’ll take into consideration:

  • Whether your preferences match with available mentors.
  • Your motivations for participating in the program.
  • Your level of commitment to the program, such as completing the Preparing for Mentoring LMS module.

Please note: Selection of students to participate in the Career Mentoring Program is at the discretion of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music. The Faculty has the right to, at its sole discretion, terminate or revoke the invitation to participate

A mentoring partnership cannot always be guaranteed.

You are eligible to apply for Fine Arts and Music Career Mentoring if you are currently enrolled in one of the following courses:

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) (Film and Television)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) (Visual Art)
  • Master of Contemporary Art
  • Master of Film and Television
  • Master of Screenwriting

Applications for the 2026 program have now closed.
To be notified when applications open for the 2027 program, complete an Expression of Interest.

Monday
13 April 2026

Applications open to eligible students

Friday
22 May 2026

Applications close at 5pm

Please note that this is a pilot offering and places are limited. Applications may close prior to the advertised due date if capacity is reached.

Week commencing
13 July 2026

Application outcomes and partnerships announced

Week commencing
20 July 2026

Mentee Preparation Workshop

July - November 2026

Regular meetings with mentor (recommended monthly)

November

Program concludes

From 2026, Career Mentoring is now an eligible activity for Melbourne Plus—the University’s co‑curricular recognition program that helps you build employability skills and earn verified digital credentials. By participating in career mentoring and submitting a short reflection, you can earn the Global Citizenship Melbourne Plus digital credential.

Learn more about Melbourne Plus recognition for career mentoring.

Can I choose my own mentor? You will not be able to choose your mentor. The volunteer mentors participating in the program come from a diverse range of backgrounds. We match students and mentors based on preferences, including industry, study area, gender, or any other criteria indicated. If your preferences don’t match any of the available volunteers, or if you didn’t submit a detailed application, you may not be matched with a mentor. In this instance, we’ll discuss other available options with you. If you have any questions prior to the matching process, please contact the Program Officer directly.

Yes, it is possible. However, the aim of the mentoring relationship is to expand your knowledge of career options and the working world. You can still learn a lot from a mentor in another field of work, so we ask mentees to keep an open mind. While you can specify preferences in your application, please be aware that highly specific criteria may limit your chances of being matched.

This program is running as a pilot for 2026, with select cohorts eligible to apply. In future years, further cohorts may be eligible to also apply. In the meantime, you can join the University’s online networking platform, Ask Alumni, to connect with alumni for career support and guidance.

Once matched, it’s expected that you initiate at least 3 meetings with your mentor during semester. Meetings can be 30 minutes or longer, depending on individual preferences and needs. Your meetings should be scheduled at a time that suits both parties and it’s preferable that you work around your mentor’s schedule. You can email your mentor to discuss the frequency of your meetings, and this can be negotiated at your first meeting. Between your meetings with your mentor, you’ll likely want to take time to reflect on your discussions and try to put some of the learnings or advice into action.

The format of the meetings (in person/online or a combination of both) should be discussed in the initial communication. Should you choose to meet via an online platform, we recommend using software such as Skype and Zoom. Recommended meeting places for in person meetings could include on campus, your mentor’s place of work (during business hours) a public library, or a quiet café.

The success of a mentoring partnership is dependent on your commitment to engage with your mentor. We know that the more often mentees meet with their mentor, the higher their satisfaction with the program is. You’ll develop valuable skills, experiences and knowledge by participating; the more you put in, the more you’ll get out!

You need to commit to:

  • Being available in Semester 2 to meet with a mentor.
  • Taking responsibility for initiating and maintaining the mentoring connection throughout the program, ensuring your meet at least three times.
  • Communicating regularly and promptly with mentor.
  • Preparing for meetings by considering topics of discussion and questions beforehand.
  • Honour your meeting commitments and be punctual.
  • Keep shared information confidential.

We also encourage you to make use of the resources available to support you including:

Melbourne Plus is the University of Melbourne’s co‑curricular recognition program that helps you build valuable skills, participate in meaningful experiences, and receive verified digital credentials you can share on your resume or LinkedIn. Mentees who participated in Fine Arts and Music career mentoring and submit their Melbourne Plus reflection will earn the Global Citizenship digital credential. This capability recognises students who engage with diverse perspectives and develop an understanding of global issues.

Once you complete the mentoring program, simply:

1. Log in to the Melbourne Plus portal
2. Locate the “Career Mentoring Program (Mentee)” activity
3. Submit your reflection about the skills you developed After your reflection is approved, your digital credential will be awarded automatically.

If you have any questions about Fine Arts and Music Career Mentoring, contact us at ffam-mentoring@unimelb.edu.au