For early and mid-career professionals looking to broaden their horizons in the water sector, few opportunities are as rewarding as the Australian Water Association’s National Mentoring Program.
Supported by SMEC and AECOM, the program connects emerging and established professionals from across Australia to share knowledge, challenge assumptions, and grow together.
With registrations for the 2026 National Mentoring Program opening soon, we caught up with a 2025 pairing, Joshua Schembri and Tanya Pearson, to hear about their experience in the program.
Joshua joined the program in 2025, inspired by the chance to connect with leaders in the field.
“I was inspired to join the mentoring program because of the opportunity to network and learn from experienced professionals in the water industry. I wanted to broaden my horizons and gather a wider understanding of work and career paths in the water industry,” he said.
Using the program’s online platform, Joshua was paired with Tanya: “I could see my mentor had a very interesting and varied background that aligned with my interests, which the PushFar platform helped me identify,” Joshua said.
“This made our mentoring partnership a great fit because it allowed conversation to flow more freely and let questions be asked and answered more practically for my situation.”
For Tanya, the decision to mentor came from a genuine desire to support emerging professionals.
“I was motivated by a desire to help an emerging professional explore the broader possibilities within engineering. Having had a diverse career myself, I wanted to highlight the wide range of opportunities the field offers,” she said.
“I also aimed to create a safe and open space where they could ask questions they might not feel comfortable raising with peers, managers, or senior colleagues, fostering honest conversations that support personal and professional growth.”
The pair met monthly through Microsoft Teams, taking a flexible and conversational approach.
“We connected through monthly Teams meetings, which were intentionally informal and conversational. Rather than following a strict agenda, we focused on what was happening in our work at the time, allowing the discussion to flow naturally.
“This relaxed approach made it easy to share experiences, exchange ideas, and reflect on lessons learned, creating a genuine and open mentoring relationship.”
Joshua found the experience invaluable for expanding his understanding of the sector.
“My most valuable part of the program has been the opportunity to broaden my perspective on the water industry and gain a better understanding of different opportunities that may be out there. The insight my mentor has provided in this area has been very beneficial to me,” he said.
The virtual format was a strength for both mentor and mentee.
“Connecting virtually worked well as we live and work in different parts of Melbourne. Online has also allowed more flexibility for working around schedule clashes. The event in July would have been a great opportunity to connect in person, unfortunately I was sick and could not attend," Joshua said.
Likewise, Tanya found the flexibility of being able to take mentoring online very helpful: “I initially expected to meet with my mentee more often in person, especially since we're based in the same city. But even local catch-ups can involve a fair bit of travel time,” she said
“The virtual format has actually worked really well, it allowed us to have meaningful conversations over Teams without the added time and logistics of meeting in person.
Take a look at Tanya’s short video on making the most of mentoring, including practical advice:
For Tanya, mentoring is as much about learning as teaching.
“One of the most rewarding parts of mentoring has been learning from my mentee about the exciting opportunities available to emerging professionals. For example, I recently discovered the 'Constructionarium' program, which I hadn’t heard of before, and it sounds like such a fantastic, hands-on experience!” she said.
And for Joshua, the guidance he received has had a lasting impact on his career thinking.
“One piece of advice my mentor gave was to consider how much influence I want in a role, and on what, and how that aligns with my goals and motivations. My mentor encouraged me to reflect on what makes me exhausted and what energises me, which has changed my mindset moving forward,” he said.
“I learned from my mentor that inspiration can come from much more than the content of a role, such as in the purpose of the role, or the location, and other demands, and it is often a case of asking where a role fits in your broader life goals and current situation.”
Both participants found value in the reciprocal nature of the program, and Tanya said she was impressed by how thoughtful and well-informed Joshua turned out to be: “His depth of insight has genuinely influenced my own thinking, and I’m excited to see the impact he’ll make in the years ahead," she said.
“Being a mentor has been incredibly rewarding both personally and professionally. It’s given me the chance to reflect on my own journey, share insights, and support someone else's growth. I’ve gained fresh perspectives from my mentee, and it’s helped me stay connected to emerging trends and challenges in the industry.
“It’s also strengthened my communication and leadership skills, which I’ve found valuable in my day-to-day role.”
When asked what they’d say to future participants, both were quick to encourage others to get involved.
“It can be difficult to build relationships with more experienced people through your work alone. This program gives you the license to delve deeper and gather more insight, from someone who is not limited to working in the same or an adjacent role as you,” Joshua said.
“Always have an open mind when going into sessions and don’t be afraid to follow the conversation and ask supplementary questions. A curious mindset is key.”
And Tanya’s perspective? “Go for it! Mentoring is a great opportunity to give back, share your experiences, and support someone else's growth,” she said.
“You don’t need to have all the answers. Just being open, approachable, and willing to listen can make a big difference. You’ll likely find that you learn just as much from your mentee as they do from you.”
Registrations for the 2026 National Mentoring Program open soon.