As a student, I benefited from many mentors - my dissertation advisor, my thesis advisor, and more - too many to name.
As an early career faculty member, most mentors gradually fade - because you mature & need less help - and because they have new students.
Sometimes, a mentor will stick around - becoming an essential part of your academic experience - checking in on you & nudging you (sometimes gently and sometimes not so much) to keep growing and paying attention to what is important.
I call that mentor a ‘doctor uncle’. A faculty member, who while not your advisor, is always a mentor & concerned with your well-being.
My doctor uncle was my dept chair when I was a student - we didn’t always get along - I was a bit bull-headed & not great at listening - but he was patient & encouraged me to do well - and didn’t flinch at telling me what he thought.
Post-graduation, he checked in on me - when I was married, had a child, divorced, and divorced again. He offered advice on tenure, funded research, and life as well - having navigated some of the challenges that I experienced along the way.
Now retired, I still hear from my doctor uncle. He remains vibrant and engaged - asks about my daughter, was excited to meet my partner, and shares career stories of adventure.
When I visited my doctor uncle this week, he reminded me that there is life post-academe - that there is more to life than papers - but also - as he commented on writing reviews (still) - that one never stops being curious and contributing to academe (if one wants to).
I am grateful to Robert Mason for sticking around for 20+ years, nudging me to do good and expressing concern when I could be doing better.
As we parted, my doctor uncle demanded that I visit more often, implied that I should bring my daughter, and to visit again soon.
After two decades, my doctor uncle is family - and has earned the right to ask for a bit more! So we will be back in the Spring - to check in, share stories, and renew our friendship.
For early career scholars, I hope all of you find a doctor uncle or aunt, they enrich your career & make academic life so much better.
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