AIR's Mentoring Program

"I used to work in print -- how do you write for radio?"

"Who can teach me how to make good ambient recordings?"

"What does it take to write a grant application that scores?"

The AIR Mentoring Program was designed to help the members of AIR learn the answers to questions like these -- on issues great and small, novice and advanced, pragmatic and aesthetic; questions that further the professionalism and creativity of our members.

(You must be an AIR member to participate in the mentor program.)

There are literally millennia of experience to be found within AIR's roster of mentors: from miking technique to negotiating public radio bureaucracies we can help you build the skills you need to succeed.

The Mentoring Program, one of AIR's most popular and valuable benefits, is intended to inspire the neophyte as well as help the veteran producer explore new creative domains.

We offer two different kinds of mentorships: individual and on-site group mentoring.

Individual mentorships brings together mentor and mentee one-on-one to explore particular facets of the skills and art involved in radio and audio production.

On-site group mentoring is available by the day or week. These typically take the form of workshops designed to address the needs/resources of the requesting station or group of producers.

Typically, the individual mentorship involves four hours of the mentor's time, subsidized by AIR. Along with the sessions conducted by telephone* and e-mail, these hours may include the time spent reviewing the mentee's work between sessions, as well as time spent preparing for future sessions.

If a mentorship is incomplete after four hours, the two parties may certainly negotiate extending the effort. In such instances, AIR requires all extra time be paid for by the mentee. The suggested rate is $50 an hour.

Like the individual mentorship, on-site group mentoring is subsidized to some extent by AIR; however, participants should expect to contribute to the cost-sharing of the program.

* Mentees pay for calls.

    How it works

Any AIR member -- individual, station or network may request a mentor:

• Questions and applications are taken on-line.
• The first step is to fill out the Mentoring Inquiry Form.
• That application will be forwarded to Steve Rowland, AIR's Mentor Program Coordinator.
• Rowland will determine the applicant's needs in conversation or by e-mail, and attempt to make a match with an appropriate mentor.
• Once a mentor is found and accepts the assignment, the Mentor and mentee schedule sessions that are mutually convenient. We try where possible to assign mentors in the locale of the mentee but this is not always possible.
• Stations, production companies, oral history programs etc. may request on-site mentoring. The process is essentially the same.

Upon completion of the mentorship, each party, the mentee and the mentor are required to complete an evaluation report describing the experience to the mentoring coordinator. These reports assure quality mentorships and help us to guage the program's strengths and weaknesses. The reports also help AIR raise funds to assure this exceptional program continues!

Remember, mentoring is a perk of membership in AIR.
You must be a member to apply.

    Testimonials