Mentoring can be formal or informal. In formal mentoring programs, there are usually program goals, schedules, training (for mentors and mentees), and evaluation.
New-Hire Mentoring
For example, in some programs, newcomers to the organization (mentees) are paired with more experienced people (mentors) in order to obtain information, good examples, and advice as they advance.High-Potential Mentoring
In other cases, mentoring is used to groom up-and-coming employees deemed to have the potential to move up into leadership roles. Here the employee (protege) is paired with a senior level leader (or leaders) for a series of career-coaching interactions.