Reaping rewards from Business School women's mentoring programme

The importance of connections was a key driver when accountant Janné Mildenhall first volunteered for the Women’s Mentoring Programme at the University of Auckland Business School. That and the fact she’d been a volunteer all her life in various guises.

“My friend Cecilia Tarrant [chair of the programme] tapped me on the shoulder nine years ago and asked if I’d be interested in being a mentor.”

The pair had met in the halls of residence while studying at the University.

“The timing was right for me. I’d always been a volunteer when my children were growing up – Plunket, schools, sports teams.

“It sounds a bit twee, but I definitely enjoy giving back to the community and it was a chance to reconnect with the Business School.”

The Women’s Mentoring Programme connects experienced businesswomen with young women who want to pursue business as a career. The students gain insight into the working world and develop skills needed for work. The programme is in its ninth year.

Janné is an associate director at Deloitte, and says her company encourages staff to connect and give back to the communities in which they live and work.

“There was nothing like this when I was starting out in my career and it’s really beneficial, not just for the mentee but for the mentor as well. I’ve met a lot of great women through it.”

When Janné was studying business, the proportion of women students at the Business School was around 25 percent. Now it’s 52 percent. In her introduction to this year’s programme, Cecilia explains: “The mentor’s relationship with their mentee will hopefully give them valuable insights into how ‘millennials’ view the world and its issues.”

Says Janné, who is the longest-serving mentor: “We explore topics like creating rapport, managing conflict, work-life balance, being resilient and making a great first impression. They’re topics we can all do with a refresher on. Every year, I get little nuggets that are beneficial for me as well.”

Janné has taken a diverse range of people under her wing through the programme.

“Some will succeed anyway, but shy or less confident students probably get more benefit. We give them confidence to use what they learn there ... that’s a really rewarding thing.

"You give students context and the confidence to go out and apply for jobs or scholarships and showcase their transferable skills, such as team work or other skills from working in part-time jobs.”

The mentoring programme begins in March and events are held through the year. This year, there are 75 mentors from many industries across a range of ages and cultures. “I enjoy the sessions and there are always great speakers,” says Janné.

“It’s a win-win. I get such a lot out of it.”

Become a mentor or mentee: business.auckland.ac.nz/wmp

The impact of volunteers at the University is felt widely. From long-running programmes like the Women’s Mentoring Programme to helping out for one-off events, there are benefits for volunteers as well as recipients.

The University is holding its first Volunteer Impact Week, 16-22 June, for which people can volunteer their time, from an hour upwards. Whether it’s tree planting or sharing industry skills, for people who may not be able to help out financially, volunteering is a practical way to connect with the next generation.

Volunteer Impact Week involves alumni and friends, as well as staff and students. Read more about it at alumni.auckland.ac.nz/volunteering