Do I really need a mentor or do I need a sponsor?

Dear NUDC,

People keep telling me that I need a mentor. How does this work?   Do I really need a mentor or do I need a sponsor?   Where can I find information?

-- Mike, Los Angeles

Dear Mike,

These are great questions! We’re glad to help.   First, let us direct you to a new Prezi by Professor Becky Wai-Ling Packard of Mt. Holyoke College and Preya Nixon of NUDC. http://prezi.com/fmcpsixf_fgx/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

This handy tool answers a lot of questions about mentoring.  

Of course, there is some excellent information available about the experiences of women and people of color in mentoring and other professional developmental relationships. A book we especially like is Mentoring Dilemmas: Developmental Relationships Within Multi-Cultural Organizations by Audrey Murrell, Faye Crosby and Robin Ely.   It provides interesting case studies and powerful information.

Keep an eye on our site for additional information on mentoring.

NUDC