expected to show the greatest performance gains for
the least investment of partner time (Wilkins and
Gulati 1996, 1998; Galanter and Henderson 2008).
Empirical findings suggest that developmental
experiences have a positive impact on organizational
attainment for professionals. Academics with mentors
obtain better initial jobs than those without
(Long and McGinnis 1985). Among lawyers, prote´-
ge´s report greater career progress and better perceived
promotion chances than those who lack
mentors (Riley and Wrench 1985; Wallace 2001;
Kay, Hagan, and Parker 2009; Kay and Wallace
2009, 2010). Studies also show that developmental
experiences improve performance and productivity,
which in turn tend to increase attainment. For academics,
collaboration with a mentor leads to greater
subsequent productivity (Long and McGinnis 1985;
Paglis, Green, and Bauer 2006). In qualitative studies,
accountants (Dirsmith and Covaleski 1985;
Center for Accounting Education 2010) and lawyers
(Epstein et al. 1995; Reichman and Sterling 2002)
report that on-the-job developmental experiences are
vitally important for professional growth.