Goal Setting in Mentoring Programs: Why It Matters and What the Research Says
Goal Setting in Mentoring Programs: Why It Matters and Why MentorPRO Does It Differently
If you have searched for goal setting in mentoring programs, you have likely found plenty of general advice — help mentees identify priorities, make a plan, stay accountable. All of that is true. But here is what you will not find on any other mentoring platform’s blog: published, peer-reviewed evidence that their goal-setting feature actually changes outcomes for the people who use it.
At MentorPRO, that evidence exists. And it is strong.
What Is Goal Setting in a Mentoring Program?
Goal setting in a mentoring context means giving mentees a structured opportunity to identify what they are trying to accomplish and then connecting them with a mentor who can provide targeted support to help them get there. This is different from the open-ended, get-to-know-you relationship that characterizes most programs.
Research is unambiguous: goal-focused mentoring produces meaningfully stronger outcomes than friendship-only models. A landmark meta-analysis of 48 studies found that the effect size for goal-focused mentoring was double that of non-specific approaches (Christensen et al., 2020). Most platforms have not acted on that finding. MentorPRO has.
Goal Setting vs. General Mentoring Support
| Goal-Focused Mentoring | General Mentoring Support | |
| Structure | Specific goals, trackable progress | Open-ended relationship |
| Mentor role | Targeted support, referrals, accountability | Broad guidance and connection |
| Evidence base | Strong — 2x the effect size of friendship models | Mixed |
| Scalability | High — structured tools enable consistency | Variable |
| Best for | Academic and career outcomes, self-efficacy, retention | Socioemotional support, identity development |
Both matter. They serve different functions.
Why MentorPRO’s Goal-Setting Feature Is Different
When mentees first log into MentorPRO, they are invited to set goals across five research-informed domains:
- Academics
- Career
- Health and well-being
- Connections
- Finances
Those categories were not chosen by a product team. They were developed through an iterative, participatory research process with direct input from mentees and program staff, grounded in empirical research on the challenges most likely to derail young people as they navigate new environments and transitions.
Mentees can:
- Select from a menu of specific goals
- Mark their top priorities
- Write fully custom goals
- Update their goals at any time throughout the program
Their mentor sees every goal and is trained to use that information to guide conversations, make referrals, and provide support that is actually relevant to what the mentee is trying to accomplish. Our Check-In and Matching features connect directly to this goal data, giving the whole platform a coherent, research-grounded logic.
No other mentoring platform combines this level of research grounding with this degree of practical flexibility.
The Evidence Behind MentorPRO’s Goal-Setting Feature
A peer-reviewed study examined MentorPRO’s goal-setting feature across 5,782 first-year undergraduate students at a large private university (Werntz, Jasman, Hagler, Yowell, and Rhodes, under review, Journal of Community Psychology).
63% of students used the goal feature voluntarily — with no incentives — establishing strong feasibility and acceptability across a large, racially and socioeconomically diverse population.
Goal setting was significantly associated with higher GPA and — after controlling for platform engagement — remained a significant predictor of academic self-efficacy and life satisfaction.
Key findings:
- Significantly associated with higher first-semester GPA
- Significant predictor of academic self-efficacy even after controlling for overall platform use
- Significant predictor of life satisfaction
- First-generation students were significantly more likely to use the goal feature than continuing-generation peers
- Underrepresented minority participants engaged at equal rates to the overall population
These findings point to goal setting as an active ingredient in the MentorPRO model — not simply a proxy for mentees who were already motivated. This is a direct test of reach: a tool that extends its benefits to the people who face the steepest barriers to help-seeking.
Goal Setting in Mentoring: A Real Example
Consider a young person who begins a mentoring program with vague aspirations but no clear plan. Through MentorPRO, they log in and select goals around building time management skills, exploring career options, and finding their community. Their mentor sees those goals immediately and sends a message the same week with targeted resources and an invitation to talk.
Over the following weeks, they exchange messages and meet in person. By midprogram, the mentee has taken concrete steps they would not have taken alone.
That is goal-focused mentoring in practice — and it is what MentorPRO makes possible at scale, across any population your program serves.
Getting Started
MentorPRO’s goal-setting feature is available to colleges and universities, nonprofits, workforce development programs, youth-serving organizations, and corporate partners as part of the full MentorPRO platform. It is smartphone and browser-based, requires no additional training beyond standard onboarding, and is fully customizable to your program’s goals and population. It works alongside our Check-In and Matching features for a fully integrated approach to mentoring support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Goal Setting in Mentoring Programs
What is goal setting in a mentoring program?
Goal setting in a mentoring program gives mentees a structured way to identify specific priorities and connects them with a mentor who can provide targeted support. It differs from general mentoring in that conversations are anchored in concrete objectives rather than open-ended relationship building.
Does goal-focused mentoring produce better outcomes than general mentoring?
Yes. A meta-analysis of 48 studies found that goal-focused mentoring programs produced effect sizes double those of friendship-only models (Christensen et al., 2020). At MentorPRO specifically, goal setting was significantly associated with higher GPA, academic self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in a study of nearly 6,000 participants.
How does MentorPRO’s goal-setting feature work?
Mentees select goals at login from five research-informed categories — academics, career, health and well-being, connections, and finances. They can also write custom goals, mark priorities, and update goals throughout the program. Mentors see those goals and use them to guide conversations, provide resources, and make referrals.
Is goal setting effective for underrepresented youth?
Yes. First-generation students were significantly more likely to use the goal feature than their peers, and underrepresented minority participants engaged at equal rates to the overall population — demonstrating that the tool reaches those who need it most.
References
Christensen, K. M., Hagler, M. A., Stams, G. J., et al. (2020). Non-specific versus targeted approaches to youth mentoring: A follow-up meta-analysis. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 49, 959–972. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-020-01233-x
Epton, T., et al. (2017). Unique effects of setting goals on behavior change: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 85(12), 1182–1198.
Mohr, D. C., et al. (2011). Supportive accountability: A model for providing human support to enhance adherence to eHealth interventions. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 13(1), e30.
Rhodes, J. E. (2020). Older and wiser: New ideas for youth mentoring in the 21st century. Harvard University Press. https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674292277
Werntz, A., Deng, Y., Jasman, M., Yowell, C., and Rhodes, J. E. (in press). Effects of a technology-enhanced university peer mentoring program on first-year academic and well-being outcomes. International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education
Werntz, A., Jasman, M., Hagler, M., Yowell, C., and Rhodes, J. E. (under review). Can I help with that? The role of goal setting in a technology-enabled peer mentoring program. Journal of Community Psychology. Link to be added upon publication.
