The conditions for a successful mentoring relationship: The followup on young graduates

Abstract : The mentoring program described herein follows up on young graduates of higher education who are looking for work. Its aim is to fight against discrimination and open access to the world of work for youth who are underprivileged (owing to their place of residency or social background). Conducted at the request of a nonprofit organization that brings young graduates into contact with white-collars working in firms, an “action research” program has identified four major psychosocial effects of the mentoring relationship: 1) the “Wow!” effect; 2) the Pygmalion (expectations) effect; 3) the improvement of relational skills; and 4) the network effect. Taken together, they form the “magic square” of successful mentoring