Mentors: Some Crabbiness and Some Advice

I love to mentor other copyeditors, whether they're new to the profession or new to practicing it as a freelancer. As I posted yesterday, there's just something so satisfying—viscerally so—about being there for another human who wants to learn and grow. And in doing that, I grow too. I like helping other editors the way I wish other editors had helped me, had I known they were around. (This was before computers were everywhere, so who knew who was out there?)

Nearly every one of my "mentees" over the years has been a go-getter, eager to learn and do whatever it takes to succeed. They do the legwork necessary to build up their business, coming to me for advice, tips, and cheerleading, not to get work handed to them. They make me proud.

But there's one mentee who's driving me batty. I think I'm going to find a way to extricate myself from mentoring this person. Why? This person comes to me with the same questions over and over, not seeming to have learned anything from experience. This person has been hinting broadly about wanting me to pass along some of my clients' contact information. Today, this person, having apparently gathered that those hints weren't effective, asked for the info outright. I didn't provide it, saying that I think having to do legwork is a valuable learning experience for freelance editors.

Now, I have been known to share client contact info, but only with those who haven't asked for it, who have done the hard work, who have shown themselves to be industrious. And they're delighted and grateful.

My advice: If you're lucky enough to find a mentor, don't abuse the relationship. Do the hard work—it's your career. Don't expect your mentor to just drop work into your lap.



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