Mentoring Defined

An extensive review of the literature on mentoring dating back to the 1970s reveals that there is still no consensus on a universal theoretical definition of mentoring in any discipline, although the notion of mentoring is somewhat familiar both as an experience and as an ideal (Egues, 2010). According to Thorpe and Kalischuck (2003), the concept of mentoring is ancient, dating back to Greek mythology. The word “mentor” was inspired by Homer’s character of the same name in the epic poem The Odyssey. Mentor, an old and trusted friend of King Odysseus, was asked to guide the king’s young son, Telemachus, during his absence. Throughout the poem, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, would often disguise herself as Mentor to counsel Telemachus in his time of struggle.

Some synonyms for mentor include advisor, coach, friend, guide, role model, and sponsor. These synonyms do not aptly capture the full definition of a mentor. For example, a coach is involved in the direction, training, and operation of a sports team or individual athletes. The terms coaching and mentoring are often confused as having the same function. However, a mentor may coach, but a coach does not necessarily mentor. Mentoring is “relational,” while coaching is “functional.” A guide assists and provides direction. A role model is someone worthy of imitation, while a sponsor supports through endorsement. For the mentoring process to have a shot at success, it is crucial to first agree on a definition.

In this Handbook, the term “mentor” is defined as an experienced person in an educational institution or academic setting who uses his or her greater knowledge and understanding of the work and workplace to support the development and success of students.