Career development is the growth of a person’s skills, responsibilities, opportunities, and professional direction over time. Mentoring can support it through ongoing career advice, goal-setting, constructive feedback, and help navigating challenges. section 9.1.1 section 9.3
Mentoring can support career development by:
- Helping someone explore opportunities, prepare for promotions or leadership roles, and build professional connections. section 9.1.2
- Encouraging continuous learning and the development of communication, leadership, and collaboration skills. section 9.1.2
- Sharing experience as guidance, not a template: each person needs strategies that fit their own path. section 9.1.2
- Making space for honest conversations about aspirations and challenges, with trust, empathy, and confidentiality. section 9.1.2
Career advice alongside training
A mentoring program with low mentee enrollment shifted from a structured, training-centered approach to more flexible career advice. Mentees began to thrive, and interest grew through word of mouth. Training can build skills; ongoing mentoring can help people work through career challenges in real time. section 9.1.1
