I have benefitted from many academic mentors.
My first mentor suggested I submit a paper & attend a conference - before I dropped out to join a dot.com.
They argued that I might like it!
They were right & I have not looked back.
My second mentor suggested that I consider a discipline change - I was too optimistic to study government.
They argued that I might like looking at how technology empowered people.
They were right & I changed my discipline.
My third mentor suggested it was ok to study hard things - but it took persistence.
They collaborated on a paper & stuck with it - even when I gave up.
They were right & I became more resilient.
My fourth mentor suggested that I needed to take time to do things right - But it took patience.
They agreed to advise my dissertation & taught me to be more measured.
They were right & my work improved.
My fifth mentor suggested my work become programmatic - & offered some tips.
They helped me learn how to think about the big picture.
They were right & my work became more systematic.
My sixth mentor suggested it was time to advise students - & cochaired my first dissertation.
They helped me to see how to help students grow strong.
They were right & I learned the joy of advising.
My seventh mentor suggested it was time to be part of the pack - being a lone wolf was sad.
They helped me learn to be part of a team - & when to be alpha Or omega.
They were right & I learned to run with interdisciplinary teams.
My eighth mentor tied together many of the threads of my career.
They suggested it was time for me to lead & learn to value the contributions of the entire team.
They offered to meet with me & help me think about my career.
They made me part of their academic family.
They demonstrated how to develop students & forgive their missteps.
They forgave my missteps too.
They were right & I became a better mentor and steward of my team.
Last night, as I received an award, my eighth mentor stopped me to tell me that I belonged on the stage - and reminded me to be proud of what I had become.
As I boarded a train this morning, I reflected on his words & all of my mentors.
I am grateful to each one.
I am particularly grateful to Helmut Krcmar for teaching me to value each student & demonstrating that a few kind words, listening, and investing in people can change lives.
I mentor others to pay forward the kindness of Helmut & my mentors.
There is a ninth mentor - that taught me about loyalty -, but I’ll save that for another day.
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