The Development of a Mentoring Program (original) (raw)

Mentoring programs are important to the development of knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies. There are numerous reasons for this. First, the number of minority individuals educated; however, unemployed due to lacking knowledge and skills not taught through the formal education programs is too high. Second, changes in organizations’ functional requirements are increasing the number of required skills needed to secure specialized positions; however, these skills are not openly provided in the work place. Third, navigating through organizations with diverse cultures requires being introduced into the understanding and complexities of these cultures. Individuals unexposed to certain cultures and who are not in management positions may have a harder time connecting with the cultures. Fourth, minorities need to understand how to navigate and advance through organizations without losing their identities. Theoretical frameworks referenced are Malcolm Knowles, Andragogy, and Distan...