I've sought out different types of mentoring during my career - mainly knowledge and workplace mentoring. I look to places like perlmonks or perlmongers for knowledge mentoring, places to get some help now and then.

What I call workplace mentoring is much harder to find, especially for women. I look for role models in postions I'd like to be in some day and try to gather how they handle day to issues - personnel, decision making - the things you learn by experience more than reading. I take whatever opportunitiy I can to forge working relationships with these folks.

I'm in groups like DC WebWomen with people who offer to help out or mentor JV members and I would urge your friend to seek out this type of group. I think that online communities offer great environments for mentoring, particularly groups that also have face to face meetings for networking.