Volunteer and mentoring opportunities
The University of South Australia offers a variety of options for you to volunteer and get involved. You can make a difference to the lives of our students and others in the
community. By sharing professional skills you provide a fulfilling role and help students to discover their strengths and achieve their potential.
Division of Business Mentoring
The Career Mentoring Program is an innovative mentoring scheme where second year business students are paired with experienced business graduates to develop career management skills, industry knowledge and transition into the workforce. Students are matched with mentors based on their shared interests and area of specialty. If you are an experienced business professional looking to make a difference and further develop your leadership skills, we would like to hear from you. More...
Building Communities through football 
Do you enjoy football and working with young people? UniSA is offering a range of volunteer options to help bring communities together using the power of football through the Football United® (FUn) program.
Football United® is a leading non-for-profit organisation that uses football for social development. FUn was developed in NSW in 2006, and UniSA is the first organisation to implement its model and vision interstate. Essentially, FUn aims to favour social inclusion and community cohesion by creating opportunities for youth at risk to participate in (free) football programs. FUn-UniSA strives to promote community engagement, student engagement, and to raise the awareness of and aspirations towards further education.
In 2012, UniSA will run 4 pilot projects in high schools and communities in Adelaide's northern and western suburbs: in the Munno Para area, at Para Hills High School and the Roma Mitchell Secondary College (Pooraka), and at Underdale High School.
The program relies heavily on volunteers, who can choose to engage with the program in a variety of roles at one or more sites, and their time commitment is negotiable. Programs involve both boys and girls and both male and female volunteers are required.
Volunteering roles include: 4coaching and skills 4fitness and conditioning 4sport science 4sport medicine and injury prevention 4research support 4media 4fundraising 4project/event management 4site coordination
Volunteering for Football United® is a novel and active way to maintain contact with your university and give back to the community. To find out more please contact:
Dr. Edoardo Rosso
Project Officer: Football United
Division of Health Sciences, UniSA, City East Campus
Tel: (08) 8302 2128
Email: Edoardo Rosso
Advantage SA Speakers in Schools
Are you looking for a way to share your passion and give back to the community at the same time?
The Advantage SA Speakers in Schools Program brings passionate young professionals into classrooms to inspire and motivate the next generation of South Australians about career opportunities available to them in South Australia. They speak of their journey from their school days into their current role. The program is sponsored by The Government of South Australia, BHP Billiton, Credit Union SA and UniSA.
With over 400 volunteer speakers, the Speakers in Schools Program gives students a taste of life in the real world and demonstrates the range of career opportunities on offer. Speakers can further educate students about current curriculum topics and inspire them to set and reach their goals.
The program is offered to all South Australian schools at no cost and has no limit to the number of presentations. Examples include classroom presentations, school assemblies, graduation ceremonies, career information forums, parent/teacher forums, and special school events.
By volunteering for this inspiring program you will be joining a network of like-minded South Australian young professionals. Speakers receive access to training and professional development forums.
To find out how you can make a difference and join the program visit Speakers in Schools website, email: Jessica Bosnakis Program Manager Advantage SA Speakers in Schools or phone: 8211 8111.
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 Smith Family's Tertiary Scholarship Scheme, students are offered the opportunity to be linked with a volunteer mentor who is working within the industry that they aspire to or has studied the same course.
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 April Timbs, Volunteer Relationship Coordinator at The Smith Family, on 8224 1432 or at april.timbs@thesmithfamily.com.au