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Alumni Relations
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Feature: On-campus focus
Macquarie Ambassadors
Elizabeth Tomc (Mentor) and Benny Lau (Mentee)
Macquarie Ambassadors is an exciting new program which offers alumni the opportunity to be an active partner in Macquarie's global future by nurturing tomorrow's leaders.
The program encourages alumni to share their personal and professional experiences with current Macquarie students, fellow alumni and the broader University community.
As a mentor you have the chance to build and strengthen your networks, and at the same time enhance the reputation of Macquarie and increase the value of your degree.
Alumna Elizabeth Tomc and student Benny Lau have participated in the program, with both agreeing it was a positive experience for each.
Elizabeth Tomc – Mentor
Tomc exemplifies the post-modern professional with multiple careers and an incredible drive for life-long learning. Arriving here from Venezuela first as a tourist, then migrant in 1996, she's since worked as a design architect, management consultant for clients like RailCorp, then held senior management roles for organisations such as NRMA Motoring & Services. She is passionate about languages and studies, which range from architecture through IT to aquaculture. She has a Macquarie MBA (2001), which she said was made more powerful by philosophy being a compulsory subject. Her positive experience as a mentor for Young Achievers' Australia prompted her to volunteer as a Macquarie Ambassador. With a partner, she's now setting up her own company providing products and services for sustainability.
"I'm trying to be the mentor I never had," she explains. "I didn't want a book, I wanted 'true' help from people with experience. As a mentor I try to be down to earth and give them something I assume they need to know.
"Benny wants to be a management consultant. I said 'play and look the part and create a marketing plan for yourself'. The thongs and shorts he wore at our first meeting had to go. I loved Benny's attitude – he was really receptive, wanting to know more. I'd consider myself to be successful if I can help him clarify what he wants to achieve. I'll be taking him to networking functions with me in the future.
"I absolutely recommend being a mentor – you can make a difference, a small contribution. It's more rewarding than what I have achieved in the corporate world. I enjoy being Benny's mentor and we'll always be friends."
Benny Lau – Mentee
Self-confessed 'late bloomer' Benny Lau is a 27-year-old Honours scholarship student who graduates this year with a Bachelor of Commerce - Marketing. Hailing from Singapore, he worked for five years in the armed forces there before enrolling at Macquarie. Since November 2007 he's worked on his goals covering career exploration, job application and presentation skills, and overall personal and professional development with Tomc. They talk monthly in person or via email.
Lau recently attended a week-long summit as a program director of the Australian chapter of the Asian-Pacific Entrepreneurship Society, at Stanford University in the US.
"I got into the mentoring program because I believed I could gain a lot if I had a mentor to model after – don't reinvent the wheel," he says. "If someone's done it, ask and learn.
"I spent a long time thinking what my mentor should be like and also stating my interests and expectations to facilitate a better match-up. I was impressed with the detailed matching process – you get a mentor whose values and experience suits your aspirations.
"My mentor inquired about my background, then goals and aspirations and we discussed what I should know to achieve them. She spoke about her experiences and observations. Elizabeth is an excellent mentor, a good listener and has had an illustrious career.
"You don't need to accept what your mentor says as the absolute truth, but have an open mind to learn and decide what's important and what's not with respect to your values, goals and aspirations. It's not purely a teacher-student relationship, it will be a long-lasting one because Elizabeth will always be a close friend. Mentoring requires commitment so do it when you are ready."
For more information on Macquarie Ambassadors click here.