Relationship of Advisory Mentoring to MBA Career Maturity: An Anticipatory Socialization Perspective

This study investigates the influences of gender and work experiences on career maturity, as well as the relationship between advisory mentoring and career maturity. Analytical results from 528 full-time MBA students are summarized as follows: (a) gender exerts significant differences in advisory mentoring functions (instrumental and career-related functions) but not in career maturity, (b) work experience is significantly related to planfulness, (c) psychosocial function is a strong predictor of planfulness and independence, whereas career-related function is a strong predictor of both information gathering and involvement. The results are interpreted and implications discussed in terms of advisory mentoring behavior and career counseling of MBA education. (Contains 2 tables.)