Effective mentoring in a work-integrated learning (WIL) program

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) programs play an important role in the learning experience of students in higher education and are widely used in many institutions. Within a large public research-intensive university in Australia, WIL approaches are used in many faculties, although this paper is focused on WIL within the tourism discipline. One of the capstone subjects in the undergraduate and postgraduate tourism programs utilise a WIL framework, whereby mentors assist groups of students to conduct projects for industry clients during a 13-week semester. This study aims to explore effective mentoring processes within the WIL program environment by interviewing mentors to identify their guidance and coaching experience, skills and capabilities and their self-development in this mentoring process. This study’s outcome can assist to better understand the role of mentor in WIL for the design of future WIL programs.