Mentorship
Any AIR member in good standing can apply to work with a mentor for one-on-one support with your skills or career every two years. AIR’s Mentorship program benefits both emerging producers still developing as well as mid-career and veteran producers seeking to refine and enhance their repertoire of tools.
Members have worked with mentors to develop strategies for pitching to a specific outlet, get focused feedback on a show or episode, improving interviewing techniques or research and investigative skills. Mentors can help you navigate the job search process or be more strategic about networking and cultivating relationships. AIR staff will guide and “match” prospective mentees with a mentor that best suits their goals for the mentorship. Mentors commit to spend a total of four remote hours in one-on-one meetings with mentees.
Here are a few things a mentor can help with:
- Support with pitching to a particular outlet
- Feedback on podcast episodes
- Guidance or coaching to help strengthen interview techniques
- Pointers to improve research and investigative skills
- Navigating the job search process
- Cultivating relationships and networking effectively.
You are welcome to apply for a mentor whether you are new to radio and podcasting or a veteran producer.
AIR members are asked to contribute a mentorship fee of up to $500 to cover the cost of compensating your mentor. We do have limited scholarships available to members who need support in order to access this benefit.
We value the rich expertise of our mentors. Whether you’ve been in the industry a long time or have a niche set of skills, we’d love to include you in our roster of industry experts. We work with each prospective mentee to find a mentor suited to their needs.
As a mentor you commit to four remote contact hours over approximately 90 days. Mentors are compensated $500 for each completed mentorship. If you think you can help a peer succeed in the industry, we’d love to have you as a mentor!
Questions?
For more information on the mentorship program, please contact AIR's New Voices Director Tran Vu at [email protected].
FAQ
I just joined AIR. How soon before I can apply for a mentorship?
How can I apply for a mentor?
How long in between mentorships do I have to wait before participating again?
I received a travel stipend from AIR to attend a conference or workshop within the last two years. Am I still eligible to receive mentorship support?
Do I have to have a specific project that I’m working on in order to receive mentoring?
What if I don’t live near an AIR mentor?
Do I have to pay for this?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, AIR is waiving all mentorship fees so that all mentees can participate. All mentors will be paid.
We are asking those who are able to consider a donation to the Freelance Audio Fund (https://www.freelanceaudio.fund/). 100% of donations will go back to freelancers.
How much time do we have to complete the mentorship?
Who is responsible for getting in touch and ensuring that the mentorship moves forward?
What if I have trouble reaching my mentor or mentee?
How long does it take for AIR to find a match for me?
How can I become a mentor?
AIR gives precedence to members in good standing but welcomes anyone interested to apply. Our priority, however, is to establish the strongest match between mentor and mentee.