The Perspectives of Science and Engineering Master’s Students on the Mentoring Relationship

Y Lin, A Hsu International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring 2013

The purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of Taiwanese science/engineering master's students interacting with their mentors/advisors. The study used the qualitative method of phenomenology and involved sixteen master's students from a research-oriented university in Taiwan, which is a male dominated culture and values hierarchical status. The findings reveal that to avoid conflict with their advisors and to survive in a power difference structure, the participants chose to adjust themselves. A good counselling programme which helps advisees to choose advisors, along with a supportive advisor-changing system, therefore, is encouraged. Peer monitoring and a vice-advisor system are advised as well.