Walkley Foundation Mentorship Program for Journalists (Australia)

The Walkley Mentorship Program is funded to support 10 mentees this year, with the generous support of private donors and the Hantomeli Foundation.

Objectives

• The objectives of the mentorship program are:
  • To help journalists develop their careers, skills and networks.
  • To transfer knowledge and accelerate learning.
  • To increase confidence and focus.
  • To provide further opportunities for career development.

How does the mentoring process work?

• The program requires participants to have a minimum of 4 x 1-hour meetings – at least one a quarter – over the 12 months. Meetings can be held more frequently by mutual agreement.
• Meetings can take place face-to-face, via videoconferencing using platforms like Zoom and Google Meet, or over the phone.
• Mentors share their experience, insights and expertise to help their mentee refine and work towards specific career goals, and to build contacts in an industry that relies heavily on connections and networking.
• The Foundation supports both mentors and mentees with guidance and quarterly check-in surveys, to support a productive and successful relationship.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Walkley Foundation will be looking for a diversity of mentees encompassing different ages, geographic locations, genders, ethnicities, and levels of experience.
• Journalists of all ages and experience levels are eligible to apply for this Program. Mentees will be selected on the basis of demonstrated need.
• Freelance, part-time and full-time journalists are all invited to apply.
• Applications from journalists working in regional and rural areas are encouraged.
• Applications from journalists with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are encouraged.
• Applicants must be Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia or able to work in Australia on an appropriate work visa.
• Past recipients of Walkley Mentorship Program mentoring are not eligible to apply.
• Journalists who are not eligible for this program, or who are not selected, remain eligible to apply for other mentoring opportunities in the future.

Terms and Conditions

• The Walkley Mentorship Program requires a time commitment from both parties to make it work.
• The confidentiality and privacy of the mentor-mentee relationship must be strictly adhered to at all times.
• This relationship covers 12 months from the introduction to the mentor. Once the 12 months have concluded, the mentor and mentee are no longer formally required to continue the arrangement. If both parties agree to continue a mentor-mentee relationship, they understand that it is not subject to any oversight or responsibility on the part of The Walkley Foundation.
• The Walkley Foundation expects that if the mentoring relationship is not working for any reason, one or both persons will notify the Foundation promptly and in good faith to address the issue.

For more information, visit Walkley Foundation.