posted
How many of you have someone you consider a mentor? How did you find your mentor? What does your mentor do for you? What do you do for your mentor? What's it like to have this kind of relationship with someone?
Posts: 3141 | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
Great questions, and should make a great thread.
Well, since the definition of mentor is so open at the moment, I'll relate the three mentors I feel that I've had. To me, they are three entirely unique types.
The first was a sort of hero / figurehead for my life, Douglas Adams. I doubt this will shock too many people here, but he is the one author that I would have traveled several states to meet and exchange even just a few words with. OSC I would love to meet, but I see that happening as a happy coincidence if he's ever in AZ. Adams was proof to me that someone who was incredibly creative and artistic could make a noticeable impact on the world: both professionally and in areas of general interest. I have no aspirations (or delusions) of being a writer in the future, but I would love to lead the quality of life (albeit short) DNA did.
A second mentor was one of my professors that was the speaker at my orientation, and kept my under his wing throughout college. Dr. Jones was the type of person, that while we were not at all alike, was the sort of person I aspired to at least meet his expectations of me, if not exceed them. He was particularly good at pushing buttons, gently manipulating people, and getting every bit of ability out of someone. While this earned him a great deal of adversaries (if not outright enemies), I can see this being a great attribute of a mentor.
The third mentor I have is an Architect that I interned with, Jim Gresham. The achievements and consistency in his life, despite practicing architecture for 50 some-odd years in a single region, are easily admirable by younger architects such as myself. Despite being the partner of a firm, he found time to work with me on my projects, and asked for input on projects that were going on in the office. This isn't at all the norm for architectural interns, who are lucky to speak to anyone outside of recent graduates in some locations. Even a year after my internship, when I went back to briefly discuss my thesis, we spent nearly two hours discussing my ideas and directions I could go. And it was actual discussion, if I didn't have a reason for something, or had the wrong reasons, he let me know it. That was well balanced by the occasional compliment or suggestion that it was something he hadn't thought of.
The last two of these relationships are on-going (as is the first in a way I suppose.) In all three cases, these are people who I've chosen an interest in, or have taken an interest in me. I've heard of systems where mentors are assigned (my profession does such a thing, if the intern does not have one). I suppose that could work, but the respect has to be there. I think the trickiest question is what do you put into a relationship with a mentor. The only answer I can think of is effort. I can't think of anything more that was expected of me from my mentors.
I'll have to think more about this, and see what other points are brought up.
posted
I've been thinking about this since Jenny posted it. If I've ever had a mentor, it would be my two favorite professors in college. One was my advisor, and another worked with me on a writing project. These women gave me such wonderful advice. One of them had gone to graduate school as a single mom (I was single when I started college) and really empathised with my situation. She was the one who told me that my education was not a race - this helped me not to overburden myself with too many classes.
The other professor was also there for me on a personal level. She was the one who told me to follow my heart and do what I loved when I was undecided about my plans after school. Both of these ladies are just fabulous. I loved dropping into their offices just to chat. They provided me with unconditional support, and over time they became my friends. They were even interested in my family, and loved for me to bring the kids to class with me.
I like to think that I'm a friend to them in return. I talk to one of them about her writing quite a bit. I make both of them laugh. Thanks for the reminder that I need to e-mail these two wonderful women!
posted
my dance teacher/director/friend elbert watson is a mentor to me. i will start with a little bit because there is a lot to say on the subject of elbert, so i will keep this thread alive for ye, jenny
Part One. after i had stopped dancing and was really anxious about starting up again, it was elbert that helped me the most. incidentally we were both at the premiere of virginia ballet theater's production of Dracula. he used to be their ballet master as well as a principle dancer, and i was student as well as a member of the junior company. I was in the studio about four days a week, staying all day saturday to help teach the lower class, take my own ballet technique class followed by pointe and then after a break junior company rehearsals and often to watch peformances that night. and that was just for ballet! i also did modern and character. we both left the company around the same time and i hadn't officially danced for about four years. i became very emotional at the show not because i was particularly moved by the performance but because there were many people i knew dancing and i had kept myself away from all things related to dance for a very long time because i have such deep and strong feelings about it, but i quit when all in one year my parents divorced, i was hometaught because of mono, and my asthma went out of control. i realize that must sounds silly. feeling so strongly about dance, but i guess the best way i can explain it is that dance is how i best express myself. though i enjoy many artforms, dance is my most pure and effective means of manifesting what is on the inside on the outside. is there a song that instantly makes you cry or makes you smile? have you ever written a story that you were able to pour your most dear affections, ideals, and exquisite sorrows into? well dancing is what does that for me. so i told elbert about how i felt and how i was very scared about starting all over and he told me: Sara. Anyone can learn technique in a classroom. Technique can be relearned and copied. What you have is a gift; when people see you dance they see your heart. Not many people can do that, and that is not something that will go away. Don't be afraid. God put a gift in you."
that winter i went back to start all over again.
Posts: 3936 | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
No. I meant all certified mentors are trained by us here at Starbucks. If you want to sign up, you need a form.
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
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posted
Heh. Gotta love how Feyd left me off his list.
He's a sly boots, that one...
Not that I'd, y'know, like to take any responsibility for who he is today. My god. I could probably be locked up for that, if only to prevent the disease from spreading.
Posts: 3293 | Registered: Jul 2002
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posted
would you mind directing responses to my posts to <me> when you are wont? I realize it's a triviality, but sometimes the he-said-she-said-it-burped onslaught of posts gets a little dizzying (mea culpa). A small gesture of etiquette can go a long way.
Good question. My father is a teacher. He has definitely been a mentor to me in my own teaching career.
I tend to be a hero worshipper, and many of my heroes were teachers I have had. I was so lucky to have so many that I cannot choose one, except for my dad.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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