An Empirical Investigation of the Mentor-Mentee Relationship Among Female Architects and Female Architectural Students

Abstract

Women are highly underrepresented in the construction industry. In line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations of gender quality and reducing inequalities, there is a need to think of innovative and sustainable frameworks to increase women's quota in the construction trade, especially in architecture. The study investigated the mentor-mentee relationship between female Architects and female Architectural students. The study utilized a research survey approach using a questionnaire data instrument. Using a purposive sampling technique, 84 research participants, consisting of female Architects and female Architecture students, participated in this study. The data collected are presented using bar charts, mean scores, principal component analysis (PCA), and categorical regression (CAT-REG). The study identified characteristics associated with good Mentors and good Mentees in the design profession. Mentees identified the main features that make a good mentor as the ability to teach, listen attentively, and communicate effectively. On the other hand, Mentors identified the qualities of a good mentee who communicates, is focused and demonstrates intelligence. The study showed that the significant negative experiences in a mentor-mentee relationship include a clash of personalities between the mentors and mentees, stealing credit for work done by both parties, and unrealistic expectations. Furthermore, these negative experiences result from poor attitude, wrong emotions, and loss of motivation. In conclusion, the study showed that proper implementation of Women mentoring programs among design professionals could lead to potential outcomes such as improved productivity, empowerment of inexperienced personnel, attracting likely female students, retaining women professionals, higher salaries, higher job satisfaction, and an increase in role models/mentors.