A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF EFFECTIVE MENTORING PRACTICE FOR MENTEES’ DEVELOPMENT

ABEGAIL G. NEPOMUCENO

Abstract


This qualitative study examined effective mentoring practices that support the development of mentees in professional and academic settings. Anchored in a constructivist perspective, the study sought to understand mentees’ lived experiences and perceptions of mentoring relationships that contribute to their growth, confidence, and skill acquisition. Purposive sampling was used to select mentees who had participated in sustained mentoring relationships. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and reflective accounts and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that effective mentoring practices were characterized by empathetic support that fostered positive perceptions and emotional security, hands-on guidance that enhanced professional competencies, and trust-based relationships that strengthened mentee engagement and motivation. Additionally, collaborative learning opportunities and mentors’ persistence in providing support helped mentees navigate challenges and reconcile mixed perceptions throughout the mentoring process. Mentees highlighted that mentor who demonstrated approachability, patience, and genuine commitment played a significant role in their personal and professional development. The study underscores that effective mentoring extends beyond technical instruction to include relational, emotional, and collaborative dimensions that are essential for mentee development.

Keywords


Mentoring practices; Mentee development ; Qualitative study ; Mentor -mentee relationship ; Professional growth

Full Text:

PDF

References


Allen, T. D., & Eby, L. T. (2020). The Blackwell handbook of mentoring: A multiple perspectives approach. Wiley-Blackwell.

Alhamidi, M. (2022). Innovative non-monetary strategies for employee retention. Human Resource Development Review, 21(3), 245–260.

Ard, N., & Beasley, S. (2022). Mentoring relationships and early career development. Journal of Workplace Learning, 34(4), 301–315.

Avalos, B., & Flores, M. A. (2022). Mentoring and professional learning in educational contexts. Teaching and Teacher Education, 112, 103630.

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman.

Beauchamp, C., & Thomas, L. (2021). Understanding teacher identity: An overview of issues in the literature. Cambridge Journal of Education, 51(1), 1–16.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.

Byars-Winston, A., & Rogers, J. (2019). Testing intersectionality in mentoring relationships. American Educational Research Journal, 56(3), 1–35.

Crisp, G., & Cruz, I. (2009). Mentoring college students: A critical review of the literature. Research in Higher Education, 50(6), 525–545.

Crisp, G., & Cruz, I. (2019). Conceptualizing and measuring mentoring effectiveness. Educational Research Review, 26, 100–113.

Crisp, G., & Cruz, I. (2021). Mentoring outcomes from the mentee perspective. Journal of College Student Development, 62(4), 469–486.

Darling-Hammond, L., Hyler, M. E., & Gardner, M. (2020). Effective teacher professional development. Learning Policy Institute.

Davey, M., Laker, B., & Williams, R. (2020). Mentoring as a workplace learning strategy. Human Resource Development International, 23(4), 357–375.

Deane, K., Baird, A., & Smith, R. (2022). Mentor empathy and mentoring relationship quality. Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 30(2), 175–192.

Dehon, E., et al. (2015). Barriers to effective mentoring. Medical Education, 49(4), 371–382.

Eby, L. T., Allen, T. D., Evans, S. C., Ng, T., & DuBois, D. L. (2013). Does mentoring matter? Journal of Vocational Behavior, 83(1), 106–116.

Eby, L. T., & Robertson, M. (2020). The psychology of mentoring relationships. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology, 7, 75–100.

Eby, L. T., Rhodes, J. E., & Allen, T. D. (2020). Definition and evolution of mentoring. Sage.

Falco, L., Bauman, S., & Sette, S. (2023). Empathy-based mentoring in diverse learning environments. Journal of Educational Psychology, 115(2), 345–360.

Feldman, D. C., et al. (2010). Mentoring in educational and organizational settings. Journal of Management, 36(2), 453–476.

Gee, B., & Popper, M. (2017). Leadership and mentoring effectiveness. Leadership Quarterly, 28(3), 1–14.

Ghosh, R., & Foubert, J. (2020). Mutual learning in mentoring relationships. Human Resource Development Review, 19(4), 365–389.

Green, S., & Jackson, D. (2014). Unsuccessful mentoring relationships. Journal of Management Education, 38(2), 1–26.

Heeneman, S., & De Grave, W. (2019). Informal mentoring in professional practice. Medical Teacher, 41(2), 1–7.

Hobson, A. J., & Malderez, A. (2021). Mentoring beginning teachers. Teaching and Teacher Education, 99, 103–128.

Hobson, A. J., & Maxwell, B. (2020). Trust in mentoring relationships. Educational Review, 72(2), 1–18.

Hudson, P. (2016). Forming the mentor–mentee relationship. Teaching and Teacher Education, 53, 1–12.

Hu, C., et al. (2016). Organizational climate and mentoring. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 94, 1–13.

Iqbal, M. (2020). E-mentoring in the digital workplace. International Journal of Training and Development, 24(3), 1–15.

Johnson, W. B., & Ridley, C. R. (2004). The elements of mentoring. Palgrave Macmillan.

Johnson, W. B., & Ridley, C. R. (2021). Mentoring in higher education. Review of Educational Research, 91(2), 1–34.

Knowles, M. S. (1980). The modern practice of adult education. Cambridge.

Koopman, J., et al. (2021). Mentoring for personal growth. Human Relations, 74(5), 1–25.

Kram, K. E. (1983). Phases of the mentoring relationship. Academy of Management Journal, 26(4), 608–625.

Kram, K. E., & Isabella, L. (2022). Mentoring and career development. Journal of Career Development, 49(1), 3–18.

Laker, B. (2021). Mentoring in hybrid work environments. MIT Sloan Management Review, 62(3), 1–6.

Liu, Y., et al. (2021). Millennials and mentoring preferences. Deloitte Insights.

Lofthouse, R., et al. (2020). Coaching and mentoring in education. Professional Development in Education, 46(4), 1–17.

Lunsford, L., Crisp, G., Dolan, E. L., & Wuetherick, B. (2023). Mentoring as developmental practice. Studies in Higher Education, 48(5), 1–15.

Mantzourani, E., et al. (2022). Relational factors in mentoring. Journal of Workplace Learning, 34(6), 489–505.

Marais, M., & Meier, C. (2010). Systems theory in organizational research. South African Journal of Education, 30(4), 547–560.

Mcilongo, M., & Strydom, F. (2021). Mentoring for organizational growth. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 19, 1–10.

Menzin, J., et al. (2020). Mentoring as a talent development strategy. Human Resource Management Review, 30(2), 100–120.

Murphy, W. M., & Ensher, E. A. (2021). Mentoring up. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 20(1), 92–108.

Ragins, B. R., & Kram, K. E. (2020). The handbook of mentoring at work. Sage.

Sheehan, M., et al. (2021). Mentoring outcomes in organizations. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 42(3), 1–19.

Simmie, G. M., et al. (2021). Practice-based mentoring. Teaching Education, 32(4), 1–18.

Stapley, L., et al. (2022). Mentoring and confidence building. Organizational Dynamics, 51(2), 100–116.

Steinmann, B. (2017). Structured mentoring processes. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 28(2), 1–19.

Trust, T., & Whalen, J. (2022). Mentoring and self-efficacy. Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 38(1), 1–12.

van Ginkel, G., et al. (2023). Observation and feedback in mentoring. Teaching and Teacher Education, 118, 103–120.

Wenger-Trayner, E., & Wenger-Trayner, B. (2020). Communities of practice. Journal of Learning Analytics, 7(1), 1–18.

Zhang, Y., et al. (2016). Mentor accessibility and communication. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 94, 1–12.

Zhou, J., et al. (2019). Mentoring and career success. Personnel Psychology, 72(3), 1–28.Evangelista,




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.65010/seairj.v7i4.303

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Bookmark and Share


For inquiries, comments and suggestions please e-mail us bcrpo@brokenshire.edu.ph