Younger workers—specifically Gen Z, who are those born between 1997 and 2012, according to Pew Research Center—seem to crave mentorship: According to a 2021 Springtide Research Institute survey of just under 6,900 US respondents between the ages of 13 and 25, 73% said they want to do better work when they feel their boss cares about them. Some 82% said “it’s important that their supervisor or future supervisor helps them set performance goals and achieve them at work and relate to them as a person.”

But mentoring in remote and hybrid environments presents quirks that weren’t as prevalent during in-person arrangements, HR experts who spoke to HR Brew explained. In order to help young talent hitch a ride down the interstate toward Career Advancement City, employers need to take a proactive approach to remote mentorship, ensuring programs are well-structured and intentional, the experts said.