The idea of sponsorship makes an important distinction from mentorship. Sponsorship is a mutually beneficial relationship that focuses on specifc career-advanving opportunites and advocacy. The sponsor is someone that is in a high position of power and is essential for any career stage to advance in their career. The focus on career-advancing opportunities emphasis that this is not a time investment like how mentorship is, but it allows for a sponsor to advocate for their protege in a way that is beneficial to both the sponsor and protege.
Here we have a presentation that can be used to explain the importance of sponsorship and how it can be used to advance gender equity.
