THE IMPACT OF MENTOR CHARACTERISTICS ON THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS OF ADULT LEARNERS

Mentorship plays a vital role in fostering entrepreneurial success among adult learners, who often embark on entrepreneurial ventures later in life or amidst career transitions. This paper explored the impact of mentor characteristics on entrepreneurial success among adult learners. Systematic Literature Review was adopted in the study. Drawing on existing literature, the analysis examines the interplay between mentor characteristics, mentorship dynamics, and support mechanisms, highlighting key factors that contributed to successful mentorship outcomes. Factors such as trust, expertise, accessibility, and empathy are identified as crucial components of effective mentorship. The paper provides three recommendations aimed at enhancing mentorship programs for adult learners: prioritizing mentor matching, providing mentor training and development, and fostering a diverse mentor pool. By implementing these recommendations, institutions can optimize mentorship experiences for adult learners, thereby increasing their likelihood of entrepreneurial success in today's dynamic business landscape