mentoring for first-generation somali australians
A SIX MONTH PROGRAM THAT PAIRS SOMALI GRADUATES WITH MENTORS IN THEIR FIELD
WHAT IS IFTIIN?
Iftiin means ‘light’ in Somali. It is an initiative of the Young AICC and the Somali Community of Melbourne.
Iftin was born out of a need to counteract the serious cultural barriers and challenges that face first and second-generation Somali-Australians that are attempting to enter the workforce.
This is due to a variety of factors including a lack of established professional or business networks, cultural and language barriers and unconscious prejudice and bias among some recruiters and HR departments.
The Young AICC saw an opportunity to leverage off the experience and know-how that it had developed through its general Mentoring Program to make a real difference in this space, while also providing its members with an invaluable and life-changing experience.
Applications to be a mentee in the program close May 30
Applications to be a mentor close June 28
2018 program dates
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Session 1: Tuesday 17 July, 6-8pm
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Session 2: Tuesday 7 August, 6-8pm
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Session 3: Tuesday 4 September, 6-8pm
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Session 4: Tuesday 9 October, 6-8pm
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Session 5: Tuesday 6 November, 6-8pm
Participants of the Iftiin program will have numerous opportunities to attend rare, networking events through the Young AICC throughout the year.
Objectives
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Build the capacity of young professionals in some of Victoria's most marginalised multicultural communities to actively contribute and participate in the Australian business community and professional life;
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Foster collaboration and partnership between community groups to improve social, cultural, educational and economic pathways and outcomes;
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Promote financial literacy; and
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Build the capacity of that community to strengthen participation in professional life, providing a generation of people who can grow into community leaders and support younger generations.
COST AND TIME COMMITMENT
Iftiin is free. Participants are expected to attend a minimum of 5 out of 6 sessions. Mentees are expected to meet privately with their mentors at least once between each session.
about The 2017 Program
Launched in November 2016 at Paliament House by David Southwick MP (Liberal member for Caulfield) and Marsha Thomson MP (Labor member for Footscray), each of 9 Somali-Australian university graduates was paired with a member of the Young AICC who is already an established professional in the same field (many of whom have also come from migrant backgrounds).
Mentors were from a variety of professional backgrounds and have the full backing of their employers, including digital real estate giant REA Group, leading app developer b2cloud, brand communications agency Hard Edge, logistics firm TIC Group, accounting firm Moore Stephens, engineering and technical services firm Jacobs and cloud service provider Enspire.
Together, the pair was supported to build a meaningful and transformative mentoring relationship with the aim of giving these bright Somali-Australian young professionals the tools to grow, succeed and become leaders in their own rights. The program has already attracted significant public interest and has received coverage from the SBS World News and the Australian Jewish News.
IFTIIN 2018 PARTICIPANTS WITH RICHARD MURRAY, CEO OF JB HI-FI
SEPTEMBER 17, 2018
IFTIIN FEATURED ON SBS WORLD NEWS
