Mentoring Women

The Mentoring Women Program provides an opportunity for women and gender diverse people interested in or studying economics and policy to connect with passionate mentors at DTF.

DTF employs economists to design and implement policies that improve the lives of Victorians. Our economists have a range of diverse skills including research, policy development and analysis, economic forecasting and modelling, and work across areas including environmental, social, macroeconomic and revenue policy. 

About the Mentoring Women Program

The Mentoring Women Program is a six-month program that provides an opportunity for women and gender-diverse students in university and high school to connect with enthusiastic economists at DTF.

University students are paired with a mentor from DTF and participate in a number of one-on-one mentoring sessions throughout the Program.

High-school students will participate in small group sessions with mentors from DTF.

All students will also have an opportunity to network with other program participants and participate in a number of learning and development sessions on topical economic issues. Previous topics have included coverage of the State Budget, macroeconomics, climate change policy as well as advice on job applications.

Mentoring sessions are tailored to suit the needs and goals of individual students. This allows mentees to gain relevant career and educational guidance, and an insight into the diverse pathways to economics and possible careers available to them.

The Mentoring Women Program takes a flexible approach to the mentoring relationship. This means mentoring sessions can either be in person or held virtually so that young people can participate regardless of where they live or study.

Program eligibility

Mentee participation is open to women or people who may be perceived as women (this includes women with a trans or gender-diverse experience) who are either at university and have not yet started their final year of undergraduate study or at high school in years 11 and 12.

Students from across Victoria are encouraged to apply and can opt to participate in the program virtually.

Student mentees do not need to be studying economics to participate in the Program but should have a genuine interest in exploring what a career in economics and public policy might look like for them.

The Program especially encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds, including applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA+, culturally and linguistically diverse, applicants with disability and applicants from regional and rural Victoria.

2024 program dates

Applications for the Mentoring Women 2024 program will open in mid-late April 2024.

Program feedback

“The Mentoring Women Program proved that there are many opportunities available to women interested in economics and policy, and how influential each person’s individual contribution at DTF can be. Being able to explore my own strengths and weaknesses with my mentor gave me great confidence in understanding how I can make the most of every opportunity to build towards my future career.” Alicia Grech, 2020 program mentee

“Mentoring Women was a great opportunity for me to better understand the industry and gave me confidence to pursue a career in economics. My mentor helped me with all different aspects of economics, from building a network, to choosing the appropriate university subjects, to giving me an insight on what it is like to work as an economist. I highly recommend anyone interested in the field to apply.” Krystal Ha, 2019 program mentee

More information

DTF is committed to providing opportunities for women to learn about career pathways in economics, including tailored engagements. If you are a student or organisation interested in learning more about economics from a DTF economist, please complete the registration form below.

Should you have any queries, reach out to the friendly team at mentoringwomen@dtf.vic.gov.au.

Join our mailing list

To receive updates about the Mentoring Women Program or other early career programs at DTF, sign up to our mailing list.

Reviewed 13/02/2024
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