An Examination of Academic Advisors' Mentoring Experiences and the Impact on Job Satisfaction

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between mentoring relationships and job satisfaction in academic advisors. More specifically, the study focused on the academic advisor as the mentee in the relationship and to see if there was a correlation between that relationship and job satisfaction. Participants were academic advisors in Alabama, who were employed by two- and four-year public institutions. An online survey was sent to all participants to ask about their experience with mentoring as well as their job satisfaction. Correlation tests, ttests and chi square were all utilized to analyze the relationship between mentoring and job satisfaction as well as the difference in between those who were mentored and those who were not mentored. A correlation was found between mentoring relationship and job satisfaction. Another finding was those who were mentored also mentor others in the field of academic advising. This study also looked at subsections of job satisfaction for academic advisors. This study contributes to the literature about job satisfaction and the relationship to participating in a mentoring relationship for academic advisors. This study also provides additional information about job satisfaction and the subsections of job satisfaction in academic advisors in Alabama.