proteges

Protege is a person who receives guidance and support from a more experienced individual, typically a mentor or sponsor, within a mentoring relationship. The term originates from the French protégé, meaning "protected one." In English, the singular is protégé and the plural protégés; in everyday usage, proteges (without diacritics) is also common.

A mentoring relationship can be formal, with explicit goals, timelines, and evaluations, or informal, arising from mutual interest. The mentor offers knowledge, feedback, professional networks, sponsorship, and opportunities. The protege contributes through readiness to learn, initiative, reliability, and the application of guidance to real work or study.

Proteges are common in many fields, including business, academia, the arts, and sports. They may aim to develop technical skills, strategic thinking, leadership abilities, or industry connections. The relationship can support career advancement, skill diversification, or succession planning within organizations or programs.

Ethical considerations include managing power imbalances, maintaining boundaries, and avoiding favoritism or exploitation. Effective protegeships emphasize mutual respect, clear expectations, regular communication, and ongoing assessment of progress and outcomes.