Mentoring Introduction According to Schemm, R.L. and Bross, T. (1995), the act of mentoring is defined as a process where a younger individual is paired with an older, person for the purpose of attaining guidance and support. Mentoring is becoming increasingly prevalent in today’s work force, and becoming more of a necessity rather than a consideration. It is likely that most, if not all, individuals will form one of these mentor-mentee relationships during some point in his or her professional career. There are several advantages, as well as possible disadvantages, to forming one of these relationships. When thinking of mentoring, a one on one relationship usually comes to mind; however, multiple-mentor relationships make another valid option available. In any mentoring relationship, there does come a great deal of responsibility. You are responsible for molding that person. Mentoring is a growing trend among working professionals; it has many benefits, and will help individuals gain success, and provide a fulfilling role for the mentor.

Disadvantages/Problems Unfortunately, not all mentor-mentee relationships assist in the professional development of an individual. Occasionally, but not always, there can be problems in a mentoring relationship. There is always a chance that personalities and communication styles may not mesh, or poor advice be given by the mentor (Nolinske, 1995, p. 40).

Creating an environment in which the mentee is evaluated based solely on his or her skill level and aptitude can also create a problem. The pureness of this environment can become compromised as personal relationships of favoritism or disdain are developed (Nolinske, 1995, p. 40). There is also the chance that the fine line between the mentor and mentee can be crossed, which can result in inappropriate behavior and an overall unhealthy companionability between the