Nikita-Marie Bridgeman and Paul Stokes explored the perceived value of industry mentorship for female business students in the UK. Through a longitudinal study of a Women in Business mentoring programme, they highlighted the benefits of mentoring, such as personalised guidance and professional networking, while also acknowledging challenges like the need for pre-mentoring education and a clear programme structure. Their findings offer practical recommendations for programme designers to effectively utilise mentoring in business schools.
Current State of Industry Mentorship in Higher Education
Student mentoring, though not widely used in UK Business Schools, is a well-researched topic in higher education. While the literature generally supports mentoring’s positive impact on career development, inconsistencies exist in the types of mentoring examined and their effectiveness. A scoping exercise revealed that only a quarter of UK business schools offer targeted mentorship programmes for students, with even fewer specifically for female students.
Methodology and key themes
The mentorship scheme allowed for autonomy in meeting content and format, with the only requirement being three meetings over the year. The study explored the perceived value of industry mentorship for female university students, using interviews with five mentees at three stages of the programme. Thematic analysis revealed three key themes:
- the positive perception of mentoring,
- factors shaping mentoring relationships (communication, commitment, and confidence),
- and a lack of opportunity.
Benefits and Challenges of Industry Mentorship
The research showed the benefits of mentoring for female university business students, particularly in overcoming societal barriers to career progression. However, it also revealed challenges, including a lack of understanding of mentoring and limited awareness of available opportunities.
The findings emphasised the importance of clear communication, tailored support, and a focus on mentees’ needs for successful mentoring relationships.
Recommendations for Effective Mentorship Programmes
The study highlighted the factors that contributed to the perceived positive outcomes of being mentored and what this may mean for future women’s mentoring schemes. It emphasised the need for structured support for mentees, including training in mentoring skills and clear programme structures. The study also recommended embedding mentoring into the curriculum and recruiting mentors based on qualities rather than seniority.
If you’re looking to introduce a mentoring scheme, or to train your mentors, get in touch for an exploratory conversation to see how we can support you.
Bridgeman, N.-M., & Stokes, P. (2026). Assessing the Value of Mentoring for Female Business Students. GILE Journal of Skills Development, 6(2), 87–104. https://doi.org/10.52398/gjsd.2026.v6.i2.pp87-104
