WILOMentoring Manual

WHAT ISWILO?A B O U T U S

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WILO stands for Women in LawOrganization. We are a student runmentoring program, which pairs femaleANU undergraduate law students withprofessional women in the legal sector.

The program is supported by the WomenLawyers Association (ACT) and theLaw Students’ Society at the AustralianNational University. .

BENEFITS OFMENTORINGIn Australia, more than half of law graduates are female. Infact, recent statistics from Graduate Careers Australiasuggest that 63% of law graduates are female.Unfortunately, the careers of female law students do notreflect this positive trajectory. Women in the legal sectorremain underrepresented in positions of leadership andinfluence as well as economic reward.

While the factors contributing to this situation are numerousand complex, the absence of mentoring programs andnetworking opportunities has been identified as one barrierto the progression of women's careers.

Proactive strategies are required to create equalrepresentation in the legal profession. Mentoring programsbased in universities can forge mutually beneficialrelationships between law students seeking guidance andexperienced legal professionals. For example, the LucyMentoring Program, which runs in universities in New SouthWales, is evidence of the success of mentoring programs inconnecting students and professionals, and assisting womenin their transition from university to the workplace.

Mentoring programs provide students with advice,motivation and encouragement from women who have livedexperience in the legal profession. Mentoring programsallow students the opportunity to ask questions, and gaininsight into the organisational culture in different sectors.Importantly, mentoring programs can assist students to gainconfidence and networking skills.

University-based mentoring is not only for the benefit ofstudents. Mentors may also find learning and developmentopportunities arise out of mentoring relationships. Forexample, a mentor may develop their leadership skills, ordiscover new perspectives that can assist with their ownpersonal or professional development. Mentors may gainsatisfaction from sharing their experiences and helpingsomeone else to grow.

RESPONSIBILITIESOF THE STUDENTThe mentor and the mentee should meet on a minimum oftwo occasions during the university semester. The meetingscan take any form, for example, a workplace tour, coffee orlunch together.

Students Should:

Prepare for meetings with their mentor by completing theReflections Worksheet, and think about what they mightlike to ask their mentorsAttend scheduled meetings, and notify their mentor inadvance if it is necessary to reschedule. Students shouldbe cognisant of the fact that mentors are volunteeringtheir time and expertise Be proactive in contacting and engaging with theirmentor. The students that will have the best experiencewill be those who are prepared and eager to make therelationship work Commit to actively working on agreed goals or actionsbetween meetings • ensure that they maintain theconfidentiality of the discussions that take place betweenthe mentor and the mentee Attend the celebratory event at the end of semester. Thisis an excellent opportunity to meet with legalprofessionals in Canberra and other like-minded studentscomplete the final feedback form at the end of theprogram to assist us to develop and improve

RESPONSIBILITIESOF THE MENTORMentors would be expected to meet with the student on aminimum of two occasions during the university semester.The meetings can take any form, for example, a workplacetour, coffee or lunch together.

Mentors Should:

Mentors will be invited to attend our celebratory event at theend of semester. This is an excellent opportunity to meet withother legal professionals in Canberra and students from theAustralian National University.

be approachable and supportive of their mentee be prepared to share their experience and knowledgewith their mentee, providing the mentee with an insightinto the legal profession and workplace culture assist the mentee to clarify personal and professionalgoals and form strategies to overcome challengesmaintain confidentiality of the discussions that takeplace between the mentor and the menteecomplete the final feedback form at the end of theprogram to assist us to develop and improve.

PROGRAMMANAGEMENT

Mentors will be professional women in

the legal sector, and will be selected

based on a willingness to participate in

the program.

Students are selected through an

application process. Students will

indicate their area of interest, and

demonstrate willingness to engage with,

and learn from, the mentors.

Selection Process Key Dates

Matching ProcessThe first element to an effective

mentoring relationship is the right match.

We make every effort to match students

with mentors based on their career

interests, stage of development, and

personal interests. This means there is

plenty to talk about when the mentor

and mentee meet, which promotes the

development of the mentoring

relationship.

Week 2 (Monday 27 February 2017):

Applications Close

Week 3 (Monday 6 March 2017):

Women in Commercial Law Panel Event(Thursday 9 March 2017) We strongly encourage all participants toattend a ‘Women in Commercial Law’ panelevent held by the Centre for Commercial Lawat the ANU College of Law. This will be achance to hear from prominent women incommercial law, and meet like-mindedindividuals. We will be at the event to hand outour mentoring manuals and to answer anyquestions you might have about the program.

Mentor/ Mentee partnerships finalisedContact details about your mentor/mentee willbe sent by email this week.

Week 11 (Monday 22 May 2017):

Celebratory Event: A celebratory event will beheld in Week 11 to mark the end of the program.Details will be advised closer to the time.

Mid-semester break:

Hopefully at this stage, you will have met with yourmentor/mentee at least once. The teaching break is agood time to reflect on how the relationship isprogressing. Students should fill out the ‘On-goingReflection Form’. This can be a private activity to helpguide your relationship in the second half of the semester,or you may wish to share with your mentor to help worktowards specific goals and outcomes.

Get in touch with your mentor/mentee to arrange asecond meeting. You should meet at least once morebefore the end of semester.

Second meeting:

Participants should use these suggestions as a startingpoint.• Discuss the answers to your Mid-Semester ReflectionSheet• How are your goals progressing?• How are you working towards specific career goals?Have you conducted more research about what isavailable in that field? How did your mentor work towardsdeveloping their career?• Discuss how to improve your CV. Perhaps you could bringa copy of your CV to a meeting with your mentor.• Discuss other achievements/challenges in your universityand work life. How does your mentor work towards ahealthy work-life balance?

Finishing the program: We hope that all students and mentors can attend thecelebratory event at the end of the program. This is anexcellent opportunity to meet and talk with like-mindedwomen. Students should complete the End of SemesterReflection Worksheet.

Proposed Plan for MentoringRelationship

The below is a proposed timeline to help you structure your mentoring relationship. It is only a guide,please feel free to develop the relationship in a way that is suitable for both parties. We ask that mentors

and mentees meet at least twice, but you may choose to meet more often.

Before your first meeting:

Send an introductory email to your mentor or mentee. Youcould include a short blurb about yourself. What degreedid you or do you study? What do you enjoy doing in yourspare time? What are your areas of interest?

You should arrange to have your first meeting in the nextcouple of weeks, so work out a suitable time and location.

First meeting:

We ask that students fill out the ‘Expectations Form’ inpreparation for their first meeting. The beginning of therelationship is about building a rapport, where the partiesestablish common ground and discover the interests andgoals of their partner. Participants should use thesesuggestions as a starting point and let the conversationgrow organically from there. Here are some suggestionsfor your meeting:

• Decide together how you will structure your futuremeetings.• Discuss the mentees answers to the ‘Expectations Form’(Appendix 1). Talk about specific areas of interest, careergoals and questions about practising law. • Discuss the challenges, benefits and general experienceof working as a woman in law.• Together discuss ways both parties can work to advancethe mentees career goals and aspirations. Identify thespecific skills, knowledge and experiences that areneeded.

ExpectationsWorksheet

W h a t d o y o u e x p e c t t o a c h i e v e f r o m p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h i s p r o g r a m ?

A r e t h e r e a n y a r e a s / c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s y o u w o u l d l i k e t o d e v e l o p ?

W h a t s o r t o f r e l a t i o n s h i p d o y o u w a n t w i t h y o u r m e n t o r ?

W h a t a r e y o u r m e n t o r s h i p g o a l s ? A r e t h e y r e a l i s t i c a n d a c h i e v a b l e w i t h i nt h e t i m e f r a m e ? H o w w i l l y o u k n o w / m e a s u r e t h i s ?

W h a t i s y o u r a r e a o f e x p e r t i s e / i n t e r e s t ?

D o y o u h a v e a n y s p e c i f i c q u e s t i o n s f o r y o u r m e n t o r ?

You should fill out this worksheet and have it ready for the first meeting with yourmentor. This will help you identify your goals for the program and get the most out of the

mentoring relationship.

Teaching BreakReflection Worksheet

H o w h a v e y o u e n j o y e d t h e p r o g r a m s o f a r ?

W h a t s p e c i f i c a l l y h a v e y o u g a i n e d o r l e a r n e d ?

W h a t p r o b l e m s d i d y o u e n c o u n t e r ? H o w d i d y o u s o l v e t h e m ?

H o w a r e y o u r g o a l s p r o g r e s s i n g ? W h a t d o y o u w a n t t o w o r k t o w a r d s f o rt h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h e p r o g r a m ?

End of SemesterReflection Worksheet

W h a t d i d y o u e n j o y a b o u t t h e p r o g r a m ?

T h i n k b a c k t o y o u r g o a l s w h e n y o u f i r s t s t a r t e d t h e p r o g r a m . H o ws u c c e s s f u l w e r e y o u a t r e a c h i n g t h e s e g o a l s ?

W h a t d i d y o u g a i n o u t o f t h e p r o g r a m ?

W h a t w o u l d y o u d o d i f f e r e n t l y ?

H o w c o u l d t h e p r o g r a m b e i m p r o v e d ?

CONTACTINFORMATIONThe ANU Women in LawOrganisation co-founders areresponsible for the managementof the program.

They are:

• Mara Lejins • Ruth Parsons • Hannah Cameron

Mentors or mentees can contactthe program coordinators anytime throughout the program. Thebest point of contact is theprogram’s email address:womeninlaw.anu@gmail.com

WILO Mentor, ASIC Commissioner CathieArmour, speaks at our 2016 Celebratory

Event

Co-founders Hannah Cameron, EmilyLangford, Ruth Parsons and Mara Lejins

Attendees at the 2016Celebratory Event