Overall Definition of Mentoring
Mentorship refers to a developmental relationship between a more experi- enced mentor and a less experienced partner referred to as a mentee or protégé.
Historical
The roots of the practice are lost in antiquity. The word itself was inspired by the character of Mentor in Homer’s Odyssey. Though the actual Mentor in the story is a somewhat ineffective old man, the goddess Athena takes on his appearance in order to guide young Telemachus in his time of difficulty.
The derivation of mentoree (as opposed to “mentee”) is an example of back-formation, since the noun mentor is also used as the verb to mentor (someone) — in contrast to other words like “employer” and “employee” and “nominator” and “nominee”.
Typology
There are two types of mentoring re- lationships: formal and informal. In- formal relationships develop on their own between partners and friends. Formal mentoring, on the other hand, refers to assigned relationships, often associated with organizational mentoring programs designed to promote gifted development, such as in schools or employment. There is also non-academic mentoring, e.g. Big Brothers Big Sisters or Teammates in Nebraska, among others.
Mentorship include Greek mentors, the guru-disciple tradition practiced in Hinduism and Buddhism, the disciple- ship system practiced by Rabbinical Judaism and the Christian church, as well as apprenticing under the medieval guild.
Formal Mentoring
In formal academic mentoring there are program goals, schedules, training (for mentor and mentoree) and evaluation.