What is The Tamarisk Initiative?

It is a 6-month long mentoring programme designed to match working professionals with university students in similar industry fields for their holistic development and to facilitate smoother university-to-work transitions.

Through providing guidance in key skills, attitudes and values, we hope to support the next generation professionals to become positive influences  in their community and profession.

The Tamarisk Initiative is named after the tamarisk tree, a tree that requires special care to grow well. It takes time to grow, but when it does, it provides year-round shade, air and sustenance for generations to come. The Tamarisk Initiative is so named as it is a programme designed for the development of future workplace leaders with the support of the present generation.

Who can join as Volunteer Mentors?

Working professionals who:

• have 7 or more years of work experience
• are members of ENCS and are actively connected in a life group.
• have a desire to “pay it forward” and share their wisdom and experience through mentoring a younger person.
• are able to commit to the mentoring period of 6 months, with 2 contact sessions of 30mins to 1 hour per month (12 sessions in total).

Will there be training as a Volunteer Mentor?

Yes! For each volunteer mentor that has been paired with a student, we will conduct a briefing cum training session to equip you with resources that will help you to mentor and guide the students over the 6 months.

What is the Programme Format like?

During the 6-month mentorship period, mentors and mentees will connect with each other twice a month, with at least 1 session in 2 months done face-to-face. Each session lasts for 30mins to 1 hour.

During the sessions, mentees are free to raise workplace challenges and mentors will guide mentees in developing specific workplace attitudes and skills.

Through industry research and interviews conducted, The Tamarisk Initiative team has also consolidated a list of common workplace issues faced by fresh graduates and resources that can be used to support the mentoring process.

How will I know if I have been matched with a student?

By registering with us here, you are availing yourself to be part of our pool of possible mentors for the students. When there is a match based on the students’ course of studies or workplace industry, our team will get in touch with you to check on your availability for the period of mentorship before finalising the match. Once the match is finalised, we will inform you of the mentors’ training session to prepare you for the start of the programme.

Who are the Mentees?

University undergraduates or fresh graduates who:

• have 1 year or less of full-time working experience or are starting internships.
• are active student / youth leaders.
• able to commit to the mentoring period of 6 months, with 2 contact sessions of 30mins to 1 hour per month (12 sessions in total).
• once shortlisted, will go through a round of interview before final selection of mentees.

We hope to have you as part of The Tamarisk Initiative team! Thank you!