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M E N T O R I N G: WHAT IT IS, AND
WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU
Historical Derivation of "Mentoring"
Mentoring has its etymological roots in The Odyssey, Homer's epic poem. The poem's hero
(Odysseus) was a great warrior who left his son (Telemachus) in the care of a trusted
friend (Mentor) while he was fighting the Trojan War. Mentor fulfilled his role admirably
as he served Telemachus as both loyal guardian and wise adviser. As the story unfolded,
Mentor led Telemachus on the heroic journey to find his lost father during which
Telemachus matured and developed his own identity.
Mentoring in the Department of Psychology at Sweet Briar College
Shandley (1989) has drawn the following conclusions from the historical
derivation of the term "mentoring" and uses the term "protégé" to
describe the person who is the recipient in the mentoring process. First, it is the
intentional process of interaction between at least two individuals, requiring specific
action on both parts. Second, mentoring is a nurturing process that fosters the growth and
development of the protégé toward full maturity . Third, mentoring is an insightful
process in which the wisdom of the mentor is acquired and applied by the protégé.
Fourth, mentoring is a supportive process. The mentor can serve as an important guide or
reality-checker in introducing the protégé to the environment for which he or she is
preparing. Finally, it is also reasonable to conclude that an essential component of
serving as a mentor is role modeling. Although it is wrong to suggest that a protégé
should become a clone to his or her mentor, mentors need to make themselves available as
models, exposing both what they have done well, as well as what could have been done
better. (p. 60) "Mentoring is a way of individualizing a student's education by
allowing or encouraging the student to connect with a college staff member who is
experienced in a particular field or set of skills. The mentor must care enough about the
student to take time to teach, to show, to challenge, and to support" (Lester &
Johnson, 1981, p. 50).
"Mentoring is one important and caring solution to enhancing freshman success"
(p. 128). Lester and Johnson's discussion continued with the following descriptions of
what a mentor does and who mentors are. "Mentors play many roles--information source,
friend, attentive listener to problems, academic adviser, activities adviser, and problem
solver" (p. 120). "Mentors are more than advisers and teachers. They are guides
through transitions and provide maps to development for freshmen" (p. 128).
This handbook is the primary map that faculty mentors in the psychology
department use to guide their protégés on the journeys they will take to develop their
own academic, professional, and personal identities. It serves as a significant resource
to mentors as they help their protégés to discover, clarify, and refine their future
options in a world that is filled with complicated and confusing choices. Please recall
Shandley's words that mentoring "is the intentional process of interaction between at
least two individuals, requiring specific action on both parts." The first
"specific action" required of protégés in the Psychology Department is to
become familiar with the information contained in this handbook.
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