Table 1.

Kram’s roles of mentors (1985).

Function in Career Role	Function in Psychosocial Role
Helps me attain desirable positions	Is someone I can confide in
Uses their influence in the organization for my benefit	Provides support and encouragement
Uses their influence to support my advancement	Is someone I can trust
Suggests specific strategies for achieving career goals	Frequently socialize one on one outside the work setting
Gives me advice on how to attain recognition	Frequently get together informally after work by ourselves
Helps me learn about other parts of the organization	Serves as a role model for me
“Runs interference” for me	Represents who I want to be
Shields me from damaging contact with important people in the organization	Is someone I identify with
Protects me from those who are out to get me	Guides my personal development
Provides me with challenging assignments	Serves as a sounding board for me to develop and understand myself
Assigns me tasks that push me to develop new skills	Guides my professional development
Gives me tasks that require me to learn new skills	Accepts me as a competent professional
Helps me be more visible in the organization	Thinks highly of me
Creates opportunities for me to impress important people in the organization	Sees me as competent
Brings my accomplishments to the attention of important people in the organization