FOR MENTORS
Your support can change their life
Become a mentor to help a talented
student from a disadvantaged
background reach their potential
FOR MENTORS
Your support can change their life
Become a mentor to help a talented
student from a disadvantaged
background reach their potential
Bright young Kiwis need role models like you
Many capable students are held back by difficult financial circumstances and don’t have the same opportunities that others have. But our kind-hearted mentors are helping to change that.
As a mentor, you’ll be there when it counts. You’ll help a bright young student through the challenging transition to university and into the professional world, giving them guidance and a personal relationship they’ll remember forever.
Bright young Kiwis need role models like you
Many capable students are held back by difficult financial circumstances and don’t have the same opportunities that others have. But our kind-hearted mentors are helping to change that.
As a mentor, you’ll be there when it counts. You’ll help a bright young student through the challenging transition to university and into the professional world, giving them guidance and a personal relationship they’ll remember forever.
Support and advice
When challenges come along, you’ll be there with encouragement and a listening ear to help your mentee stay on track.
Personal relationship
You’ll give them personal insight into the professional world, which many of our scholars don’t normally have access to.
Inspiration
You’ll be a positive role model in their life, and help them stay motivated and achieve their goals.
“She was like a big sister to me”
“We met once a month and she invited me into
her family. I felt comfortable telling her how
things really were. It helped take the pressure off,
knowing I had someone to offload to about the
stress of university, and things outside of study too.
It was such a great experience, I’m now a mentor too,
as I want to give someone the support she gave me.”
ROSEANNE ULUNGA, 2011 GERARD ROOFS SCHOLAR
Support and advice
When challenges come along, you’ll be there with encouragement and a listening ear to help your mentee stay on track.
Personal relationship
You’ll give them personal insight into the professional world, which many of our scholars don’t normally have access to.
Inspiration
You’ll be a positive role model in their life, and help them stay motivated and achieve their goals.
“She was like a big sister to me”
“We met once a month and she invited me into her family. I felt comfortable telling her how things really were. It helped take the pressure off, knowing I had someone to offload to about the stress of university, and things outside of study too. It was such a great experience, I’m now a mentor too, as I want to give someone the support she gave me.”
ROSEANNE ULUNGA, 2011 GERARD ROOFS SCHOLAR
Are you our next mentor?
Being a great mentor doesn’t mean having all the answers. It’s about being yourself and building a relationship with your mentee. To help, we’ll give you training and match you with a student who needs a mentor like you.
Mentoring is great for you as well as your mentee. You’ll grow your leadership and communication skills and add volunteer work to your CV, all while giving back to your community.
Here’s how you’ll support your mentee
- Walk alongside them through the transition into university and beyond, helping them deal with challenges that come up along the way.
- Be a listening ear and sounding board – a trusted friend who’s there to offer advice when they need it.
- Be a positive role model who they can look up to.
- Give them insight into the professional world.
- Help them set goals, manage their workload, cope with stress and make the most of the First Foundation programme.
Remember, you won’t be doing it alone – we’ll be here to support you along the way with resources, personal development opportunities and suggestions for growing your relationship with your mentee.
“A very rewarding experience”
“I cannot thank Air New Zealand and First Foundation
enough to have given me this special opportunity to
mentor a student in the last year of school, and help
them transition into ‘adult’ life in a more supportive
and smooth way. I am blessed to have Ichtus Choo as
my mentee. I look forward to keep learning from each other!”
BEL ADAN-HUGHES, MENTOR
Are you our next mentor?
Being a great mentor doesn’t mean having all the answers. It’s about being yourself and building a relationship with your mentee. To help, we’ll give you training and match you with a student who needs a mentor like you.
Mentoring is great for you as well as your mentee. You’ll grow your leadership and communication skills and add volunteer work to your CV, all while giving back to your community.
Here’s how you’ll support your mentee
- Walk alongside them through the transition into university and beyond, helping them deal with challenges that come up along the way.
- Be a listening ear and sounding board – a trusted friend who’s there to offer advice when they need it.
- Be a positive role model who they can look up to.
- Give them insight into the professional world.
- Help them set goals, manage their workload, cope with stress and make the most of the First Foundation programme.
Remember, you won’t be doing it alone – we’ll be here to support you along the way with resources, personal development opportunities and suggestions for growing your relationship with your mentee.
“A very rewarding experience”
“I cannot thank Air New Zealand and First Foundation enough to have given me this special opportunity to mentor a student in the last year of school, and help them transition into ‘adult’ life in a more supportiveand smooth way. I am blessed to have Ichtus Choo as my mentee. I look forward to keep learning from each other!”
BEL ADAN-HUGHES, MENTOR
What’s involved?
Mentors are a crucial part of the First Foundation programme, and we’ll be there to support you along the way.
Here’s what’s involved when you become a mentor
- Ideally, you’ll commit to being a mentor for at least two years.
- You’ll attend a training session, to help get your relationship with your mentee off to a great start.
- You’ll meet with your mentee at least once a month and be in regular phone, email, or text contact, especially in the first two years of your relationship.
- You’ll complete an online mentor feedback report each quarter, to let us know how your mentoring relationship has progressed.
- You’ll communicate with the team at First Foundation, so they can help you resolve any problems or difficulties that may come up along the way.
- You’ll participate in First Foundation activities and networking events for students and mentors.
For more information, download our Mentoring Info Sheet
What’s involved?
Mentors are a crucial part of the First Foundation programme, and we’ll be there to support you along the way.
Here’s what’s involved when you become a mentor
- Ideally, you’ll commit to being a mentor for at least two years.
- You’ll attend a training session, to help get your relationship with your mentee off to a great start.
- You’ll meet with your mentee at least once a month and be in regular phone, email, or text contact, especially in the first two years of your relationship.
- You’ll complete an online mentor feedback report each quarter, to let us know how your mentoring relationship has progressed.
- You’ll communicate with the team at First Foundation, so they can help you resolve any problems or difficulties that may come up along the way.
- You’ll participate in First Foundation activities and networking events for students and mentors.
For more information, download our Mentoring Info Sheet
“This guy’s got my back”
“Shaun’s been there for me. Every time when
I’ve failed, or when I feel like I’m going down that
path, I always look back to what he said – to keep
going, it’s not the end of the world; whatever you do,
just don’t give up.”
UTUFIU NIKO, 2015 RUTHERFORD REDE SCHOLAR
“This guy’s got my back”
“Shaun’s been there for me. Every time when I’ve failed, or when I feel like I’m going down that path, I always look back to what he said – to keep going, it’s not the end of the world; whatever you do, just don’t give up.”
UTUFIU NIKO, 2015 RUTHERFORD REDE SCHOLAR
Become a mentor now
If you’re interested in being a mentor, we’d love to hear from you. To get started, you can apply right now.
As part of the application, you’ll need to complete a police vetting form and upload a copy of your current driver’s licence or passport.
For an outline of the process of becoming a mentor and our code of conduct,
please see the links below. If you have any questions, please contact our office or email mentoring@firstfoundation.org.nz