ULOGA MENTORSTVA U AKADEMSKOJ KARIJERI MLADIH ISTRAŽIVAČA: ZNAČAJ I IZAZOVI
THE ROLE OF MENTORING IN THE ACADEMIC CAREERS OF EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS: IMPORTANCE AND CHALLENGES

Summary/Abstract: The academic career development of early-career researchers takes place within a complex academic environment that requires the development of research competencies, scientific productivity, independence, and professional identity, while also being characterized by constant changes, new demands, and various challenges. In this process, mentoring represents an important form of support, as it can provide early-career researchers with guidance, access to resources, skills development, emotional support, and inclusion in academic and professional networks. The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of mentorship in the professional development of early-career researchers, based on a review of theoretical and empirical findings, with particular emphasis on its functions, outcomes, and challenges, as well as the factors that determine the effectiveness of the mentoring relationship. The analyzed research findings indicate that highquality mentoring can contribute to greater self-confidence, research productivity, career satisfaction, professional advancement, and a stronger sense of belonging to the academic community. Its positive effects are particularly evident when the relationship is based on clearly defined expectations, open communication, trust, mentor availability, and the gradual encouragement of the researcher’s independence. At the same time, the absence of formal mentoring programs, misaligned expectations, communication problems, mentor overload, personal incompatibility, and power imbalances may reduce the quality of mentoring support. The authors conclude that improving mentoring requires responsibility on the part of both mentors and researchers, as well as more active institutional support through clear guidelines, monitoring of relationship quality, and the development of diverse forms of mentoring.

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