Exploring mentorship in the career advancement of women in leadership at a South African university

Abstract

Women in leadership positions within higher education often face unique challenges related to work-life balance, career advancement, and gender biases. The primary aim of this study was to explore mentorship in the career advancement of women in leadership at a South African university. Thus, it sought to gain insights into the perceptions and experiences of women in leadership positions in a South African university regarding mentorship. The research employed an interpretive research paradigm, combining both deductive and inductive approaches. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with eleven women in senior management roles at the selected South African university as the study population. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and derive key themes, subthemes, and where applicable a supertheme. The findings of the study illustrated that mentorship in higher education is perceived as a deliberate process aimed at guiding individuals in their career development. Participants viewed mentorship as a transformative journey that fosters both personal and professional growth. Additionally, mentorship was characterized as stewardship, with mentors prioritizing the long-term wellbeing of their mentees. Participants also shared their lived experiences with regards to mentorship in their higher education career and shared insights into qualities of a good mentor. For those lacking mentorship experiences, participants shared the repercussions of this absence on their career trajectories. This research study also identified the need to address perceptions related to racial and gender biases in mentorship programmes and provided recommendations for best practices that can be implemented to create a more inclusive and supportive mentorship environment in higher education. This study contributes to the understanding of mentorship practices in higher education and highlights the importance of supporting women in leadership roles through effective mentorship programmes at South African universities.