Mentorship vs. Sponsorship: What are the differences and importance of each?

By: Kristin Paffendorf

Mentorship is when a more experienced professional guides and supports someone less experienced to foster growth. A mentorship relationship can be formal, or informal, based on mutual respect and shared goals for professional and personal growth. When looking to develop skills, gain industry insights, set goals or navigate career challenges, a mentor’s help is crucial.

Sponsorship, on the other hand, goes a step further. It’s when a senior professional actively champions and advocates for the career advancement of a more junior colleague. Sponsors use their influence and network to create opportunities and promote their leadership pipeline candidates within the organization. When seeking career advancement within your organization, it’s essential to pursue sponsorship.

In essence, while both mentorship and sponsorship offer critical support, mentorship aims to enrich an individual's skills and knowledge, while sponsorship is geared toward accelerating one's career trajectory within the organization. These two roles, when combined effectively and strategically, can be instrumental in an individual's talent development, ensuring both personal development and professional career advancement.

To take advantage of all the mentoring programs available to you as a PWH® member, visit Professional Women in Healthcare | Mentee/Mentor Request Form.