RESEARCH / MENTOR ME!
Interest is there.
Access is the question.
A mixed-methods study of how young professionals find mentors, and what gets in the way.
01 / THE QUESTION
What stands between intent and connection?
The study focused on young professionals ages 18–26 and the gap between wanting career mentorship and finding it. The aim was to understand that gap before proposing a dedicated mentorship app.
02 / THE APPROACH
Look at the journey, not just the match.
Interviews, survey research, and field studies informed personas and journey maps. Together, these methods connected people’s expectations of mentorship with the practical experience of searching for a mentor.
03 / THE FINDING
Interest alone does not create access.
The research identified a gap between considering mentorship and having experienced it. Access emerged as a central issue, directing the product concept toward helping young professionals connect with mentorship opportunities beyond employer-controlled programs.
DESIGN IMPLICATION
Make the path to a mentor as thoughtful as the match itself.
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