APG-L Archives
Archiver > APG > 2008-02 > 1204342789
From:
Subject: Re: [APG] Mentoring
Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:39:49 EST
Over the course of some years in several professions, I have been fortunate
in having a number of mentors, but in every case, it was a relationship
initiated by the mentor. It usually arose in response to something I had done that
caught the future mentor's attention and seemed to justify investing a bit
of time in guiding me further in some particular area. Sometimes a supportive
relationship grew from it that could be described as mentoring. In no case
was it a one-on-one or continuing relationship except for several supervisors
who went beyond getting the job done in order to further my development as
well.
With one of the latter it made for a sometimes difficult relationship
because he demanded so much more than he required of others. I could see some
personal growth from it, but thought he wasn't satisfied with my work, even though
later he opened a door or two for me. I didn't recognize it as intended
mentoring until after his death, when his widow told me of the high regard he had
for me. He apparently had hidden it to avoid any appearance of partiality.
My advice to anyone seeking a mentor: get your work out where others can see
it, by writing, speaking, volunteering, and otherwise interacting with other
genealogists. When someone with more knowledge or experience in a particular
area offers advice, guidance, or criticism, accept it graciously and
gratefully. It could be the start of a mentoring relationship. In that case, be
prepared to accept it on the mentor's terms, whatever your own expectations or
desires.
I believe there are many qualified and experienced genealogists looking for
opportunities to help people who might benefit from their mentoring--some of
them on this or the TG-L--but my experience tells me it works most
successfully at the mentor's initiative. I have difficulty envisioning a system or
structure under which a prospective protege(e) might invite or apply for a
mentor, and have the same sort of supportive relationship develop.
Donn Devine, CG, CGL
Wilmington, Delaware, USA
CG, Certified Genealogist, CGL, and Certified Genealogical Lecturer are
service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license
by board certificants after periodic evaluation, and the board name is
registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office.
**************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.
(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/
2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)
This thread: