PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS MENTORING

The ANUWFC Professional Pathways Mentoring Program is designed to support the professional development, career exploration, and post-university transition of current members by leveraging the club’s strong player base and alumni network.

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The program creates an opportunity for players and alumni to connect with ANUWFC members and alumni who are working in, studying towards, or exploring similar professional fields.

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ANUWFC recognises the diverse range of current and former players that it has working across a diverse number of industries and fields. This is an opportunity to leverage the strong connections to the club that we all have to and support members to thrive in their academic, professional, and personal lives.

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What is mentoring?

Mentoring is a helping relationship based on an exchange of knowledge, experience and goodwill between a mentor and mentee. It is a developmental relationship in which one person (usually more experienced or senior) takes time to help the career, professional or personal development of another person.

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A mentoring program aligns with the vision of the club ‘to be recognised as a leader in female football in the ACT, helping our players thrive both on and off the field’.

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ANUWFC has had over 3,500 players over its 45 plus year history. Our alumni and current playing cohort work across a variety of industries and fields. This is an excellent opportunity to tap into these skills and experiences to support student athletes at ANUWFC or recently graduated players.

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The program also aligns with ANUWFC’s values and objectives by fostering:

• Inclusion: Providing equitable access to professional networks regardless of background or prior connections

• Community: Strengthening lifelong connections between current players and alumni

• Leadership: Empowering players to pursue and lead in diverse professional fields

• Excellence: Supporting informed career decision-making and professional growth

• Wellbeing: Reducing anxiety around career uncertainty and post-university transition

• Sustainability: Maintaining meaningful alumni engagement beyond playing years

 

Program objectives

• Provide opportunities to connect and support to ANUWFC members

• Facilitate meaningful connections between players and alumni across industries

• Increase awareness of diverse career pathways available to members

• Support members’ transitions from university into professional employment

• Strengthen alumni engagement and long-term contribution to the club

• Develop members’ professional confidence and workplace readiness

• Promote women’s leadership across multiple sectors

• Support career changes and postgraduate transitions

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How it works

Mentees will be matched with a mentor who will be able to share their experiences and challenges in their careers.

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The program will run annually, aligned with the academic year. A pilot program will run in the second half of 2026. 

• Annual program cycle (aligned with the academic year)

• One structured interaction per month (minimum)

• Additional informal engagement encouraged as appropriate

 

Participants and roles

Mentors may include:

• ANUWFC members and alumni currently working in relevant industries

• Current members with professional experience (including postgraduate or mature-age students)

 

Mentor responsibilities:

• Share industry insights and career experiences

• Provide guidance on career pathways, transitions, and decision-making

• Offer practical advice (e.g. applications, networking, workplace culture)

• Uphold confidentiality and professional boundaries

• Model ANUWFC values

 

A mentor’s main focus is on providing support for the career, needs and interests of the mentee. In a developmental mentoring relationship, the mentor also benefits from the experience and finds learning and development opportunities of their own.

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Mentees may include:

• Current ANUWFC players

• Recent graduates or transitioning alumni (to be agreed by the sub-committee)

 

Mentee responsibilities:

• Actively engage in mentoring activities

• Identify career interests and development goals

• Prepare for meetings and follow through on agreed actions

• Respect mentors’ time and boundaries

 

A mentee learns from the experience of others by exploring issues and concerns in a supportive and confidential relationship with their mentor. 

 

Matching and engagement process

Mentors and mentees will complete an Expression of Interest form indicating:

• Field(s) of study or professional interest

• Career stage (student, graduate, career changer)

• Desired type of support (exploration, applications, networking, progression)

 

A sub-committee of the ANUWFC will consider the EOIs and Match participants. Matches will consider:

• Industry or discipline alignment

• Career goals and stage

• Preferred engagement style

• Availability and capacity