Abstract
Mentoring among federal agents contributes to performance and career development. The relationship formed during mentoring has the potential to influence individuals throughout their careers. The purpose of this study was to examine the mentoring experience from the perspective of the junior federal agent. This study employed a qualitative phenomenological research method. The phenomenological design was selected because the approach facilitates understanding the lived experiences of federal agents. Ten junior federal agents were interviewed about their experiences with the mentoring relationship. An analysis of the mentees’ perceptions provided clarity concerning the career effect of the relationship and revealed opportunities to enhance relationship outcomes. The study contributes to scholarship and practice by offering findings about the perceived effectiveness of the mentoring relationship and opportunities to further enhance an already beneficial program. Shared knowledge and skills among federal agents of all tenures are valuable. The effectiveness of mentoring relationships among federal agents might be amplified if additional selection criteria are defined and the structured training presently offered is more broadly available.|Keywords: mentoring, federal agent, law enforcement, mentoring relationship