Women’s stream added to mentoring program
Another indicator of the program's success is a former mentee who has become CEO of an organisation at the age of 25.
ONE of Australia’s most dynamic and successful networking organisations for young professionals – the Melbourne-based Young Australia–Israel Chamber of Commerce (Young AICC) – has launched the 2023 chapter of its flagship in-person mentoring program, and registrations open this Monday.
The program, which consists of four monthly sessions commencing on April 3, is most suited to undergraduate university students in the penultimate year of their course, or recent graduates in their first year of professional work.
Young AICC committee members Tamara Ungar and Nitay Bar Haim said a unique aspect of the program is it matches each participant with three mentors, including a university student, a young professional, and a senior executive.
“This model really provides an opportunity for participants to work on different parts of themselves, and their professional journeys up the business leadership elevator,” Ungar said.
An exciting new element of the Young AICC Mentoring Program is a women’s stream, in addition to a generalist stream, and an industry-specific stream.
Bar Haim said, “What we really noticed from feedback from last year was that some participants wanted a stream that provided women-only mentors.
“It’s mainly beneficial for young women that have faced, or potentially may face, unique challenges or biases within their field, and are looking to connect with someone with a similar experience.”
Ungar added, Young AICC also introduced the women’s stream because it is “an organisation that is supporting women, and we want to get women on the front foot”.
The generalist stream suits individuals looking for a mentor with a wide range of skills and experience, and the industry-specific stream is ideal for mentees wanting to specialise in a specific industry.
Past program participant, Monash University bachelor of commerce student Ari Dancziger, said, “My mentors, through sharing their own experiences, were instrumental in guiding me to make significant decisions, and develop greater clarity around my professional pathway.”
Another indicator of the program’s success is a former mentee who has become CEO of an organisation at the age of 25.
Ungar said another advantage of the program is that, “with the AICC being the overarching organisation, it means that we can dip into its mentorship base, which consists of highly proficient professionals”.
“And our program participants can get access to AICC boardroom lunches, panel discussions, and delegations to Israel, which are all pretty cool.
“Overall, I think young people are more engaged and driven than ever before, and they want to make positive change.”
Bar Haim agreed, and emphasised that “having a mentor at any phase in your career is so important, but particularly so during the transition from university into a career”.
For more information about the Young AICC’s mentoring program, or to register for the 2023 intake, visit yaicc.org.au/mentoring
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