10/05/2026
A mentoring programme can exist without changing who gets access to opportunity.
Structured mentoring provides more than a regular meeting. Done well, it offers guidance, feedback, workplace context and a professional relationship that can help someone navigate decisions, develop skills and understand possible career pathways.
Sponsorship plays a different role. Sponsors use their influence to recommend people for visible assignments, introduce them to decision-makers and advocate for progression when opportunities are allocated.
This distinction matters because informal access is rarely distributed evenly. When important information, stretch projects and influential relationships depend on who happens to be noticed or included, capable professionals may be overlooked. Women can be left carrying out valuable work without the visibility or sponsorship that helps convert contribution into progression.
Organisations should examine how support is allocated, who receives developmental opportunities, whose work is discussed in senior spaces and whether mentoring leads to meaningful access rather than simply adding another programme.
Retention is influenced by whether people can see a credible future in the organisation and access the relationships and opportunities that make that future possible.
The Women in STEM Network connects members through mentoring, professional communities and practical career support. Explore the member WhatsApp communities: https://womeninstemnetwork.com/wisn-whatsapp-communities/