Feedback from mentors included:

Mentoring has been an incredibly inspiring journey for me. It not only allowed me to guide others but also gave me a unique opportunity to reflect on my own growth. The process has been empowering, filled with mutual learning, and has deepened my sense of purpose. I’m grateful for the chance to contribute to someone’s development while also gaining valuable insights into my own.

This mentoring experience was a great rewarding experience for me and I would do it again and again, when the opportunity arises in future. Both me and the mentee benefited from our sessions and learnt so much from each other. Personally, it has helped me grow as a professional and expand my knowledge. It was also a great opportunity to get perspectives from a student’s point of view. AASW provided amazing opportunity to network with other social workers engaged in the program and was supportive in educating about the platform used and values we can do to our professional community through mentoring.

Having participated in the AASW mentoring program for three years I have found it to be a positive experience with opportunity to connect with someone commencing their career as asocial worker, where I’m able to reflect on my own social work journey over the past three decades. I felt valued as an experienced practitioner, not only by my mentee but also by the AASW. Being a sole practitioner in private practice, this was a valuable opportunity to connect in a meaningful way with a colleague, and I hope to be able to continue in the program for many years to come.

Being a mentor in this program has been incredibly rewarding. The connections I’ve made with my mentee have been mutually enriching, allowing me to share insights while gaining fresh perspectives. For emerging social workers fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment is important for professional development. It’s also had a positive impact on my own professional development, helping me strengthen my leadership and communication skills. Mentoring has been a meaningful way to give back, and I highly encourage others to get involved—it’s a journey of growth for everyone.

Feedback from mentees included:

My mentor and I have fostered a positive working relationship and it has enabled me to establish more of a professional identity. My mentor challenged me to reflect more deeply and did so in a non-judgmental, open and reflexive manner. This experience has assisted me in developing further confidence in my abilities and values that will be with me throughout my career.

The AASW mentoring program afforded a unique and invaluable opportunity to connect with a mentor who has an incredible amount of experience, not only as a social worker and in the area of practice I am most interested in and passionate about. Being early career, this was such a helpful and useful time to connect with and learn from my mentor, and was incredibly helpful to me in better defining and planning my longer term career goals and aspirations. So grateful for the time investment in the program of my mentor – would not hesitate to recommend participating in the program!!

If you are looking to improve your leadership journey and gain valuable advice and knowledge the AASW mentoring program is the perfect way to do so. I have gained a much deeper understanding of the organisational structure and been supported to explore new perspectives to keep engaged in the workforce.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mentoring program. My mentor was extremely knowledgeable and accessible. I gained many insights from him which I have implemented into my practice.

It was great to feel professionally seen by a social worker from outside my networks right when I needed a new kind of input I didn’t know how to navigate to. The AASW is doing us all a huge favour with this program. It was particularly good for me as a time-poor 1st time Mum returning to the workforce who doesn’t have time to attend industry events right now.

The AASW Mentoring Program was an eye opening experience and exposed me to the greater community of Social Workers. My Mentor was a great support throughout the journey. She was knowledgeable, supportive and encouraging. She introduced me to different resources and platforms that I was not aware of, that will assist with my career progression. I am grateful for the time she has invested in helping me and her other mentees. Thank you to everyone involved.