A relationship between a less experienced individual and a more experienced individual known as a mentor) through which the mentor facilitates and supports learning. It can involve a one-on-one relationship or a network of multiple mentors. The network can contain peers, ‘step-ahead’ peers, or supervisors. Psychosocial mentoring involves mentor roles such as counsellor or friend, and career-related mentoring involves mentor roles such as coach or sponsor. Each structure of mentoring may be better suited to support particular mentoring functions or desired outcomes. For example, the structure of peer mentoring may advance psychosocial functions, while supervisory mentoring may advance career functions.
