The Soviet Experience of Mentoring and the Possibilities of its Use in Modern Conditions: the Sociological Approach

The article reveals the essence of a phenomenon of mentoring from the position of Soviet scientists, educators, psychologists and sociologists. The purpose of the article is to re-actualize the Soviet experience of mentoring and educating young people within the account of modern socio-cultural challenges. Through the strategic guidelines of state policy, the article rethinks the Soviet mentoring system as a social institution. First of all, the etymology of the concept of mentoring is clarified and its difference from related categories (mentor, tutor, coach) is determined. The pedagogical approach to mentoring is considered, which boils down to clarifying the nature of the relationship between the mentor and the mentee. The purpose of studying mentorship by Soviet psychologists was to identify the features of the influence of mentors on young people. The author provides a typology of personal and motivational aspects of mentors' activities. The analysis of the sociological approach to mentoring is carried out mainly on the basis of empirical research conducted directly at industrial enterprises. The critical importance of the formation of an up-to-date theory of mentoring is emphasized, which sets such socially significant goals as the formation of a positive attitude to the profession, assistance to young people in adapting to the work collective, influencing young workers on the organization of leisure time for young workers and the formation of their views and beliefs. In the article, the author comes to the conclusion that mentoring includes constant work with young people in order to help them to find the path of life and acquire professional skills, as well as moral education. A conceptual model of mentoring is given with a list of its functions, as well as objective and subjective characteristics.