Why the Right Mentor Match Matters

What makes a mentorship successful?

Is it shared interests? Similar career paths? Common life experiences? Or simply finding someone who believes in you?

A recent blog post by leading mentoring researcher Jean Rhodes explores an important question: does matching mentors and protégés based on shared identity make a difference? Drawing on new research involving more than 2,000 university students, the findings suggest that, in some situations, it absolutely can. Students who shared important aspects of their lived experience with their mentors, such as being first-generation students, international students, or entering fields where they were underrepresented, often felt a stronger sense of belonging and confidence. Those stronger connections also led to greater engagement throughout the mentoring relationship.

At the same time, the research offers an important reminder: there is no single formula for a great mentor match. Shared identity can help some people feel understood and represented, but qualities like empathy, reliability, curiosity, cultural awareness, and a genuine willingness to listen are just as important. Ultimately, the best mentor is the one who helps a protégé feel supported, challenged, and capable of reaching their goals.

That philosophy is one we know well at interVivos.

Every mentorship program we run includes a thoughtful matching process. We don't simply pair people based on profession or industry. We take the time to learn about each participant's goals, experiences, interests, values, and what they're hoping to gain from the relationship. We know that no two mentorship matches are the same, and that meaningful connections often come from a combination of shared experiences and complementary perspectives.

Our recent mentorship programs have intentionally created opportunities for underrepresented voices to connect. We've hosted programs featuring mentors of BIPOC identities, Asian heritage, women leaders, and 2SLGBTQ+ mentors because representation matters. Seeing someone with a similar lived experience succeed can make new possibilities feel achievable while creating spaces where participants feel they belong.

At the same time, we've also seen incredible mentorships grow between people with very different backgrounds. Sometimes the most valuable perspective comes from someone who approaches a challenge differently, asks thoughtful questions, and encourages you to see your own potential in a new way.

That's why we believe successful mentoring is never just about checking boxes. It's about creating relationships built on trust, respect, curiosity, and a shared commitment to growth.

As Rhodes concludes, what matters most is that the relationship feels trustworthy, relevant, and useful from the protégé's perspective. We couldn't agree more. Great mentoring isn't about finding someone exactly like you. It's about finding someone who helps you believe that your goals are possible and supports you as you work toward them.

Interested in learning more? Read Jean Rhodes' full blog post, "Why 'Someone Like Me' Matters in Mentor Matching," on the Chronicle of Evidence-Based Mentoring: https://www.evidencebasedmentoring.org/how-the-right-mentor-match-can-make-success-feel-possible/

If you're interested in becoming a mentor in one of our future mentorship programs, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at connect@intervivos.ca to learn more. If you'd like to become a protégé, join our mailing list to be the first to hear when applications for our next mentorship program open.