Author Dr. Louise Underdahl links Career Optimism Index® study insights to actionable mentoring strategies employers can implement now

University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies announced a new white paper, “Autonomy and Competitive Edge: Mentorship as a Solution,” by Louise Underdahl, Ph.D., doctoral instructor and a research fellow with the University’s Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR), exploring how structured mentoring programs can help organizations address a growing crisis of worker autonomy, reduce burnout and improve retention.

Drawing on findings from the University of Phoenix Career Optimism Index® study and related scholarship, Underdahl outlines the scale of the challenge and why skills-focused development—delivered through mentorship—matters. Highlights include rising reports of burnout linked to low control, strong worker appetite for upskilling and reskilling, and employer tendencies to prioritize external hires over internal development—despite ongoing recruitment and retention headwinds.

“Mentorship restores clarity, connection and confidence at work,” said Underdahl. “When employees have trusted guides, they build skills faster, experience more autonomy and contribute more fully to organizational goals. It’s a practical, people-centered strategy any employer can scale.”

The paper offers a framework employers can adapt immediately: start with micro-mentorship inside project teams, leverage established curricula (e.g., CIMER and mentor-mapping tools) to standardize quality, and integrate AI thoughtfully to personalize pairings and reduce ‘Shadow AI’ risk—all while minimizing time and cost barriers. It closes with a three-step plan to evaluate obstacles (time, money, clarity), select right-sized models and measure outcomes.

The full white paper is available on the University of Phoenix Career Institute® webpage or on the Research Hub.

Underdahl is a College of Doctoral Studies instructor and researcher whose work examines worker autonomy, mentorship models and human-AI collaboration. Her scholarship emphasizes pragmatic, scalable solutions that strengthen engagement, agility and talent development. Underdahl completed her doctorate with the University of Southern California. She is currently a reviewer at the College of Doctoral Studies’ Dissertation to Publication Workshop, and has been co-leader of College of Doctoral Studies Alumni Special Interest Group since 2019. Underdahl is a recipient of multiple faculty recognition awards at University of Phoenix and has been teaching at the University since 2004.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

About the College of Doctoral Studies

University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

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