The mentor advantage: Perceived career/job experiences of proteges versus non‐proteges

Abstract

Do proteges report having more positive job/career experiences than non‐proteges? Do male proteges report having more favorable job/career experiences than female proteges? Do high‐level proteges report having more favourable work experiences than low‐level proteges? To answer these questions, mentored and non‐mentored men and women in high‐ and low‐level positions were asked to evaluate, on a survey questionnaire, their level of satisfaction, career mobility/opportunity, recognition, security and promotion rate. The extent to which these career/job experiences varied as a function of their mentored status, sex and organizational level was examined. The results of the study revealed that mentored individuals reported having more satisfaction, career mobility/opportunity, recognition and a higher promotion rate than non‐mentored individuals. However, proteges' perceptions of their job/career situations were not affected by their sex or level. Whether systematic differences exist in the experience of being mentored has yet to be examined.