Program Overview

Introduction to the Women's Mentoring Programme

The Women's Mentoring Programme, also known as He Ira Whine, is designed to match female LLB students with mentors from the Law School's vast network of professional women. The objective of this programme is to offer professional development opportunities for female students, providing them with the chance to benefit from the experience and industry knowledge of a mentor.

How the Programme is Structured

The programme is designed to be highly flexible, allowing mentees to achieve their own professional development goals without becoming too onerous. It is recommended that mentors and mentees meet once a month, with a minimum of at least four face-to-face meetings during the year, along with more regular email or phone communication. There are also regular events for all participants in the programme to meet, which run from March through to October and feature some of New Zealand's leading women.

Topics for Discussion

Whilst the programme is designed to be flexible, suggested topics are provided to help drive conversation, along with supported reading materials. These topics include:

• Making a great first impression
• Building rapport
• Networking
• Learning the job
• Managing conflict
• Balancing work/life and leisure
• Being resilient

Mentees

The programme is open to all female and gender diverse University of Auckland law students who are in their penultimate or final year of studies. Mentees will need to study in both Semesters One and Two of the year to ensure they will be in Auckland to fulfill their mentoring relationship. Students going on exchange are not eligible to apply.

Focus Areas

Throughout this programme, the focus is on:

• Building the foundations of personal and professional networks
• Preparing for the transition from university to full-time employment
• Obtaining an understanding of the world of work, including obstacles women can face and how to overcome them
• Career management discussing goals and developing a plan to achieve them
• Relating theoretical studies to current practice in the legal world and obtaining industry insights to support academic learning
• Invitations to attend events, including professional development workshops and opportunities to hear from female leaders

Commitment Required from Mentors

Mentors involved in this programme are women from a range of career paths who completed an LLB at university and now work within and outside the legal industry. The programme runs during the academic year, from March to October. Ideally, mentors will meet up with their mentees once a month, as well as at on-campus networking events. Monthly topics of discussion and resources are provided to help drive discussion.

Mentor Requirements

Mentors must:

• Live in Auckland
• Have a minimum of five years' industry experience
• Be willing to commit to the programme
• Be able to attend some evening events

There are approximately four networking events for mentors and mentees throughout the year, as well as a mentors' meet-up, the programme launch event in March, and the final wrap-up event in October with all participants. This programme offers numerous rewards not just for mentees but for mentors too, including the opportunity to network with other successful women at programme events, build their own professional brand, and hear from exciting women leaders.