Young GESA Mentorship Initiative Launch

The Young GESA Executive Network committee celebrates the launch of the new Young GESA Mentorship Initiative with the aim to: 

Objectives 

  • Facilitate professional and personal development for gastroenterologists by providing mentees with guidance and support to achieve their career goals. 
  • Foster an inclusive, diverse and equitable environment by providing mentees from across Australia an opportunity to connect with colleagues intra- or interstate. 

As a mentee, you can establish a range of goals that you will work to achieve with the support and guidance of your mentor. You will have the opportunity to expand your network, gain insights from a more experienced practitioner, and build confidence in your practice areas by developing skills to map and achieve career goals. A mentoring partnership is driven by the mentee, who is responsible for facilitating conversations. There is no restriction on who can apply to be a mentee, as GESA recognises that professionals are always continuing to learn. Note: the aim is NOT to assist with job or employment opportunities. 

As a mentor, you will have the opportunity to develop your leadership, coaching and interpersonal skills, gain a fresh perspective from younger members of the gastroenterology profession, and positively contribute to the career development of another person. Note: the aim is NOT to assist with job or employment opportunities.   

Eligibility: 

  • Mentee 
    • Member of GESA (including Advanced Trainees). NOTE: priority will be given to early-career gastroenterologists, followed by Advanced Trainees. 
    • Cannot have held FRACP (professional fellowship) for more than 8 years. 
  • Mentor 
    • Member of GESA. 
    • Have held FRACP for at least 2 years. 

Commitment 

  • One meeting every two months between mentor and mentee. 
  • Communication preferences to be agreed at the first meeting. This is at the discretion of the mentor and meeting - either virtual (e.g. Zoom or Teams) or in-person. 

Responsibilities

  • Mentee

    • As a mentee, you are responsible for establishing the path you would like to take during the mentoring process. The main aim is to help you define your career and personal goals, and to create a plan to achieve them. You are expected to drive the relationship by setting the agenda and arranging meetings. You need to take a proactive role in shaping the relationship with your mentor by:
    • Understanding what you want from the mentoring relationship and communicating your goals and aspirations clearly to your mentor. 
    • Setting aside time for meetings, being flexible with scheduling and keeping appointments. 
    • Being honest with your mentor about your challenges. 
    • Always displaying professional behaviour. 
  • Mentor
    • As a mentor you are responsible for establishing open, non-judgemental communication that fosters and supports your mentee’s development.
    • Committing to regular meetings (at least once every two months).
    • Setting aside time for mentoring and honouring scheduled appointments. 
    • Checking in with your mentee at agreed intervals between meetings, to maintain engagement and provide ongoing encouragement. 
    • Keeping any information they share confidential. 
    • Providing honest feedback and giving your mentee plenty of opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns. 
    • Above all, listening.
  • Outcomes
    • Mentees will be supported to achieve the goals they outline at the commencement of mentoring, with progress rigorously evaluated. 
    • Mentees will report satisfaction with the program. 
    • Members will feel they have been matched to an appropriate mentoring partnership with relevant career goals and similar interests. 
  •  
  • Matching
    • User profiles including demographics, location, training hospital, job interests, and hobbies are created to match mentees and mentors. Matching is managed by the mentoring sub-committee of the Young GESA Executive Network committee.

    • Please allow 4 weeks to be assigned to your mentor.  

Interested in becoming a mentee or mentor, complete the expression of interest form below. 

Expressions of interest are currently closed and will reopen September 2026.