Get up close and personal on mentor-protegé relationships

While the majority of people surveyed could identify one person from their workplace they viewed as a mentor, this feeling was rarely mutual. Protégés were accurate in identifying a colleague as a mentor less than half of the time.

One potential reason, says Bhave, is that “the popular press frequently reminds them that mentoring is critical to career success., and this may motivate protégés to incorrectly consider that their relationship is a mentoring one.”

The Concordia Mentor Program streamlines the process of connecting mentors and protégés. Concordia alumni interested in mentoring who register are matched with students seeking guidance.

“Participants search for potential mentors by degree type, occupation, company name or geographic location. They can reach out to whomever they like,” says Goldman. “Mentors similarly respond to mentee requests, if they feel it’s a suitable match.”

All communication between mentors and mentees takes place on a private server and all personal information, including email addresses, remains confidential. Participants must also follow a code of conduct to make the mentoring experience successful.

“There is a nice life-cycle effect to the program. Mentees who graduate come back to serve as mentors,” says Goldman.

• Interested in mentoring a Concordia student? Consult opportunities in our related links below or contact Jonathan Goldman, alumni officer, Student Programs, at jonathan.goldman@concordia.ca.