![[Logo: AGDA]](/img/common/agda.png)
Your very own mentor…
3rd May, 2008
The AGDA WA Mentoring Program is in its sixth year and it is that time of year to start matching like-minded students and designers for mutually beneficial relationships. Download the AGDA WA Mentoring Program information PDF for further information. To participate, please e-mail wa@agda.com.au.
APPLY FOR A MENTOR (all final year AGDA member design students are invited to apply):
Take a peek inside a real design studio.
Receive constructive feedback and current advice.
Make valuable contacts in the industry.
BECOME A MENTOR (individuals and studios sought for mentoring roles):
Share your knowledge and skills.
Participate in the future of your industry.
Be inspired by a young designer.
PAST STUDENTS HAVE SAID...
“I wanted to find out as much about the industry as I could and it was great to have my own designer to ask specific questions related to what I was working on at the time. Lecturers have dozens of students to look after and don’t have the time to respond to every query, so having a mentor gives those who want to learn more the opportunity to do so.”
“I met my mentors at their studio - it was a lovely environment… I think it's great that students can get some guidance from real studios. The last year of design can be confusing and scary and the mentor program helps in preparing for the [graduate] exhibition and a job when leaving college.”
“I met my mentor every two weeks. My expectations were fulfilled in regards to feedback on my work and learning about working in the industry and dealing with clients and deadlines. I received great feedback on my folio ideas. This program is a great one that should be run every year.”
“I found my mentors’ feedback a lot more useful than the lecturers’, as they had current knowledge of the industry and passed on what they would be looking for when hiring a new designer.”
“I definitely got some extra knowledge about the industry that I didn’t get at uni because my mentor was able to give me work experience. It gave me an understanding of what to expect in the real world.”
PAST MENTORS HAVE SAID…
“We felt that giving up a small amount of time each fortnight was extremely beneficial. Students feel a little scared about entering the profession and any steps that we take to help ease that process makes us feel that our time is well spent.”
“I was happy to provide assistance to the mentoring program… I found [the student] to be confident, polite and dedicated to her work.”
“It was a valuable experience to spend time with [my mentee]… it was informal and fitted well into my schedule.”
“I really enjoyed the time spent with [the student]. It was exciting to see her skills develop and quite amazing to observe how much her design matured in her final months… and at times it was nice just to sit and chat and gossip about what we were all doing - both in our studio and at TAFE.”
“I expected to have an open, positive and mutually beneficial sharing experience and this expectation was met.”
“Our student came in every Friday. We asked her to bring in her own work so we could provide feedback and also offered her the opportunity to sit with designers, attend meetings and press checks, etc. We always enjoy having someone else in the studio.”
(Design by WASADM student and mentor program participant Marcus Taylor)
