Jump to Content

< back

The Smith Family Tertiary Mentoring Program

The Smith Family is an independent non-profit organisation committed to helping disadvantaged Australian children by unlocking opportunities through education and learning. The students involved in the Tertiary Mentoring Program receive a financial scholarship from The Smith Family to support the cost of their tertiary studies. Those who are awarded these scholarships are from a family on a low income, have displayed a commitment to their education, and may not otherwise have the opportunity to continue with their studies.

As part of the Tertiary Scholarship, students are offered the opportunity of being linked with a mentor who is working in the industry they aspire to or has studied the same course. The Tertiary Mentoring Program aims to link students into supportive networks to increase their chances of success at University or TAFE, as they are often the first in their family to attend post-secondary education. The relationship is mutually beneficial and a great way for mentors to share the skills and knowledge they have acquired during their working life.

Commitment from mentors:


It is expected that students will catch up with their mentor at least four times a year (but typically it is every one to two months) for around one hour, and maintain contact via email or phone every four to six weeks. Training is provided and screening of mentors is undertaken (including a police check) prior to meeting a student.

If you would like more information or are interested in becoming a mentor please visit The Smith Family website or contact Maryke Palumbo, Mentor Coordinator at The Smith Family, on 8224 1432 or at maryke.palumbo@thesmithfamily.com.au

A list of students who are keen to have a mentor is provided here:


Student Campus Yr Level Courses Career Aspiration Mentor Preference
ART/DESIGN
1 University of South Australia - Mawson Lakes Campus Year 4 (Bachelor) Design & Tech N/A N/A
2 TAFE - Marleston Campus Year 1 (Diploma) Building Design & Tech Designer or draftsperson or architect Good english; graduated in the last 10-15 yrs
3 University of South Australia Year 2 (Bachelor) Bachelor of Visual Arts Secondary Art Teacher N/A
4 University of South Australia Year 2 (Bachelor) Bachelor of Visual Communicatons Junior Primary Teacher N/A
5 University of South Australia - City Campus Year 2 (Bachelor) Bachelor of Visual Communicatons N/A N/A
6 University of South Australia - Magill Campus Year 1 (Bachelor) Bachelor of Computer & Information Science; Bachelor of Media Arts Computer animation N/A
7 TAFE - Marleston Campus Year 1 (Diploma) Building Design & Tech Designer, draftsperson or architect Good english; graduated in the last 10-15 yrs
BUSINESS/MANAGEMENT
8 TAFE - Adelaide City Campus Year 1 (Certificate 3) Tourism (retail travel sales) N/A N/A
9 TAFE - Adelaide City Campus Year 3 (Advanced Diploma VTE) Tourism Management N/A N/A
SOCIAL WORK/SOCIAL SCIENCE
10 Flinders University - Adelaide Campus Year 2 (Bachelor) Behavioural Science N/A N/A
11 University of South Australia - Magill Campus Year 1 (Bachelor) Social Work Youth Work Prefer female mentor but will have male
12 Flinders University - Adelaide Campus Year 2 (Bachelor) Bachelor of Justice & Society Police force, Correctional services Female
13 TAFE - Noarlunga Campus Year 1 (Certificate 3) Justice Studies N/A N/A
14 Flinders University - Adelaide Campus Year 1 (Bachelor) Social Work/Social planning Social worker-child protection Female
15 University of South Australia Year 3 (Bachelor) Social Work Social worker - community development; and/or working with refugees N/A
16 Flinders University - Adelaide Campus Year 1 (Bachelor) International Studies Work with NGO (e.g., World Vision, Oxfam) N/A
HEALTH/MEDICAL
17 University of Sydney - Camden Campus Year 1 (Bachelor) Bachelor of Medical Radiation Therapy Radiation Therapist Female; graduated in last 10-15 yrs
18 University of South Australia Year 2 (Bachelor) Science Dietitian/Nutritionist Knowledge of biology/chemistry
19 Flinders University - Adelaide Campus Year 2 (Bachelor) Behavioural Science Neuroscientist N/A
20 Flinders University - Adelaide Campus Year 2 (Bachelor) Radiation Science N/A N/A
EDUCATION
21 Flinders University - Adelaide Campus Year 1 (Bachelor) Teaching PE Teacher Male
OTHER
22 University of South Australia - Mawson Lakes Campus Year 2 (Bachelor) Software Engineering N/A N/A
23 Cemon's Hairdressing Year 2 (Diploma) Hairdressing, beauty and retail Hairdresser Female



top^