Volunteer

Description

“Peer Mentoring is a programme whereby 2nd, 3rd and final year students are assigned a group of 1st year students.  This programme helps fir‌st y‌ear ‌students talk through questions that they may have about their course, assignments and exams.  You can check with either your course co-ordinator or chaplain to see if Peer Mentoring is running for your course.  

Peer support is a system of giving and receiving help founded on key principles of respect, shared responsibility, and mutual agreement of what is helpful. It is about understanding another situation empathically through shared experiences. (Mead, Hilton & Curtis, 2001)

In the context of third level education, peer mentoring provides positive opportunities for students to gain immediate friendships with peers, to access ‘insider’ knowledge of life as a student and to ease anxieties surrounding transition to third level

Role of a Peer Mentor

To provide informal guidance, support and practical help to first year students, and ease their anxieties surrounding the transition to third level. 

Benefits of Being a Peer Mentor

It's a lot of fun and you get the chance to meet new students as well as other peers.
It is an opportunity for you who have been through the first year transition period to give something back and help our newest students to settle into college life.
You will gain skills and experience in leadership, interpersonal relationships, self discipline, organisational and time-management skills.
You will impress future employers, as this will look very good on your CV
You will gain more confidence in yourself.
On completion of the program you will be presented with a Certificate of Participation at an awards’ event.

Benefits to First Year Students

Helps first year students to deal with transition to third level.
Helps students with information and guidance about course related matters
Helps students to resolve problems at an early stage

Interested in getting Involved . . Next steps

If you have any questions or concerns arising from what you have read about the Peer Mentoring, you can make contact with ‌your Programme /Year Tutor, or email Finbarr O'Leary, the co-ordinator of the Peer mentoring programme at finbarr.oleary@dit.ie who can answer any questions.   

Is training provided?: Yes

Please note that Garda Vetting is required for this position.

Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:

• Complete an application form
• Attend a half-day training programme  - During first year Induction
• Be available to assist at Induction of First Year students
• Meet with a group of 6-8 First Year students at Induction‌‌
• Have two additional meetings in the first semester with first year students
• Be available, within reasonable limits, to first year students to offer support and advice during the year.

Details of time commitment needed for role:
To be available, within reasonable limits, to first year students to offer support and advice during the year.

Minimum time commitment per week:
1 hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role:
Application Form, Garda Vetting