Abstract: This research explored the meaning constructed from informal mentoring experiences by a group of female career firefighters. The research investigated how the protégés' personal and professional lives have been influenced by informal mentoring. The research questions asked the participants to describe how informal mentoring has affected interpersonal relationships, professional relationships, and organizational relationships. The research explored how informal mentoring was used as an adult learning strategy and how the protégé viewed informal mentoring. The participant group was selected because women are underrepresented in the ranks of career firefighters. Information regarding this group's informal mentoring experience as a learning method may be of interest to others where there may be inequities in employee representation.