A Transition and Mentoring Program for first year Engineering and IT students

What's it all about?

The Engineering Connections Mentoring Program is about giving new first years a warm welcome and a great introduction to the Faculty of Engineering. It's a chance for first years to meet other new students that they'll be studying with. They also benefit from all the wit and wisdom of our fantastic senior students, who volunteer to be mentors for the program.

What do we do?

The program kicks off with the “Engo Connect Day”, where we:

• link up first year groups and mentors

• laugh our heads off in a lecture theatre

• share an awesome FREE Pizza lunch

• find the answers to life at Uni ... and everything

• explore the campus together

After getting to know each other on the Engo Connect Day, everyone keeps in touch over the first few weeks of the semester by going to some of the many events held by all the different engineering societies. Here you can meet students from all the different departments, exchange information and handy hints about life at uni, and have lots more fun together.

After the first few weeks, we will cap off the program with a nice cocktail evening and many more great times.

Engineering Connections is endorsed by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and is a joint project of SUEUA, SUWIE, SUCE, SUSPECTS, MUGS,SUCES, Windsoc, Rocketsoc, SUABE, SUITS and the Engineering Revue.

How do I get involved?

To find out more about what'sin the program for you check out the info pages for first years and mentors.You can join the program by downloading THIS DOCUMENT  (right click and save) and emailing it to

Info for First Years

Engineering Connections is here to help you feel like you belong, right from the word 'go'. Our mentoring program is a way of linking you up with other students in the Faculty who already know the ropes and are ready to share their experiences with you. It's also a great way to help you form your own network of friends,even before lectures begin!

How do I join in?

Find the SUWIE desk when you’re enrolling for engineering at Sydney University, fill in a form and put it in the RED box. It’s that easy!

After you register, remember to check your uni email and we will keep you up to date withdetails of all the Engineering Connections Program. Alternatively, you can send us your name, number, email and degree program to 

What other first years say about mentoring ...

"The program is a great introduction to uni life. I made instant connections to friends and contacts and had a lot of fun!"

"Having a confident, friendly Mentor made all the difference on my first day. I appreciated someone giving me the inside information about the University, but told to me in a casual way."

"When I thought that I would have to drop out, my Mentor told me that lots of others were feeling the same as me. She told me that the first semester is like a roller-coaster ride. You get on at the beginning of the semester and ride it till the end. You can yell and scream and be scared or you can laugh and scream and enjoy the ride."

Where to from here?

We will keep in contact with you, informing you of the details of the “Engo Connect Day”.This day is due to be held on the Tuesday of O-Week, 24th February2009.

Any more questions? Email 

Information For Mentors

The Main Objective of the Program

The main objective of Engineering Connections is to help to build an encouraging and supportive learning environment and sense of identity and belonging for all students in the Faculty of Engineering, especially for incoming first year students. In working towards achieving our primary objective, we might just happen to have a bit of fun along the way too ;-)

Training Session – what’s involved?

There will be a training session to attend to make you the best mentor, leader and friend that you can be for your mentees.

You will learn some simple but effective skills that will help you to establish a good relationship with the first year students in your group; the focus here will be on developing your interpersonal skills.

Secondly, you will hear from a distinguished guest speaker who is an established leader from the engineering industry.

Thirdly, you will be given the low-down on the entire program, what is expect from mentors and what exactly you will be doing.

The training session will take place on the Monday of O-Week, 23rd February 2009.10am-4pm

What’s the time commitment?

1. Training Session (23rd February 2009) 10am-4pm

2. Participation in the Engo Connect Day (24th February 2009) 10am-4pm

3. Contacting your first year students by email / text message etc., and being available to respond if they contact you.

4. At least 4 face-to-face meetings with your mentoring group at the prescribed events.

5. Participation in the final wrap event

What do I get out of it?

Although your relationship with the first years you are mentoring will be primarily for their benefit, that doesn’t mean you won’t be getting anything out of it!

You’ll get:

• A very spiffy certificate for your CV, signed by the Dean ofEngineering, Professor Greg Hancock;

• FREE training in leadership and interpersonal skills;

·        FREE Mentors T-shirt!

• Encouragement, advice, and support from other mentors, academic staff, and trainers involved in the program;

• More information about the University, and a better understanding of what services are available and how to access them;

• A sense of being part of a supportive network, and new friendships with other mentors;

• The personal satisfaction of helping others

·  The chance of meeting and networking with industry representatives at the final wrap-up event

• And . . . last but by no means least . . . don't forget the great food and fun at all our gatherings!

How many first years willI be mentoring and how will we be matched?

We'll match two mentors to six to eight first year students, so the number of mentors required will be related to the number of first years we have register for the program. Not everyone may be chosen to mentor, so get in fast!

Mentoring a group of students, rather than one-to-one matching, is more effective in helping everyone feel part of a supportive, effective community. The students in your group will have each other to turn to, as well as you, and quite soon you'll be able to step back and let them get on with it!

We'll match mentors with first year students primarily on the basis of degree programs. Because of the flexible first year program, we hope to have paired mentors from different engineering streams. We may not be able to make a 'perfect match' every time. We'll certainly do our best!

How do I apply?

Simplyfill out the Mentors application form (link below) and send it to 

The last day to apply for the program is the 1st December 2008.

You will be notified as to whether you have made it in as a 2009 Mentor by Christmas 2008.

What is the selection criteria and how many people get in?

We only have space for 80 mentors and 10 reserves, so the selection criteria will be tough. You don’t need any experience with leadership or working with young people, but we are looking for people who are keen and interested in volunteering for the university community. We need people from all disciplines of engineering and from all different backgrounds – males, females, international students, exchange students, inter-state students so don’t think you will be disadvantaged for exempt from the program if you are any of those.

Download the application form

Right click and save this file  to get involved!