Managing Upward: Mentorship and Sponsorship as Career Development Strategies
Mentorship and sponsorship are two essential forms of support that can help you advance in your career – regardless of your level or industry. While they are often used interchangeably, there are some critical differences between them. Mentorship involves a more informal relationship in which a more experienced individual provides guidance, advice, and support to a mentee. This may involve regular meetings or check-ins, and the focus is often on helping the mentee develop specific skills or knowledge. A mentor may be someone who works within the same organization as the mentee, or they may be someone from outside the organization who has expertise in a particular area. Sponsorship involves a more formal relationship in which a sponsor actively advocates for the career advancement of the person they are sponsoring. This may involve recommending the person for promotions, assignments, or other opportunities and speaking on their behalf to decision-makers. Sponsors are typically in a position of influence within an organization and can provide tangible support to the person they are sponsoring. Both mentorship and sponsorship can be valuable resources for you as you look to advance in your career, and it is often helpful to have both types of support.
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