A mentoring relationship from each individual protégé’s perspective is determined by identifying the source or sources from which the protégé receives needed mentoring help.  This source or sources can be one individual or a variety of individuals, in addition to other material resources, expertise and/or experiences.  From mentoring literature, we have identified twenty (20) distinct mentoring resource functions within three (3) categories, which are as follows:

I.      Career Development 

1. Clarifying Work Goals/Career Goals
2. Obtaining Challenging Tasks     
3. Obtaining Safeguard/Protection
   
4. Obtaining Sponsorship/Recommendations
   
5. Obtaining Endorsement for Acts and Views
   
6. Obtaining Feedback on Performance
   
7. Making Career Moves
   
8. Obtaining Showcase Opportunities for Achievements

II.     Learning

1. Learning Technical Skills and Knowledge
   
2. Acquiring Current Job Proficiency
   
3. Learning Organizational Culture
   
4. Learning Organizational Policies
   
5. Preparing for Future Jobs or Promotions

III.    Personal Help Functions

1. Building and Maintaining Friendships
   
2. Building and Maintaining Trust
   
3. Obtaining Counseling
   
4. Obtaining Moral Support/Encouragement
   
5. Adopting Worthy Role Models
   
6. Accepting Deserved Praise
   
7. Cultivating a Confidante