The subject of mentoring is something that’s been popping up more and more over the last few years. The context of the discussion centers around the way our industry has changed over the decades, leading to fewer opportunities for young sound designers to learn directly from seasoned professionals. In the recent past, if you wanted a mentor to help guide you in your career, you had to find one yourself.
That’s still a path, and likely to be the only path for many, but we’ve been seeing more efforts to organize simpler ways for people to find the coaching they desire: The Audio Mentoring Project and the MPSE creating its own mentoring program being two examples. We’ve decided to take a stab at it as well, with Jack and myself currently mentoring several junior contributors here on the site. That’s not to say that we have a clear and reliable idea of what we’re doing. We’re doing our best to figure it out as we go, and I know there are other people out there who might be willing to mentor someone if they had and idea of how to go about it.
So that’s what this month is about. We’re going to explore the idea of mentoring in the sound community, so that maybe you’ll take the opportunity to step forward and guide a budding sound designer on the start of their journey. Or, if you’re one of said budding professionals, help you figure out what to expect or look for in a mentor; so that maybe you can take that information and convince someone to help you map out your own route.
If you’re serious, look up Chris Gear. He owns OhmLab, SoundFreqs and some other stuff. Started ADSR with the current owner almost a decade ago. Teaches for Pyramind now. Dude knows how to translate complex concepts and workflows in simple and inspiring ways. Certainly the best mentor and teacher I’ve ever witnessed in sound design, and I’ve been in the industry for over 40 years. I’m glad to see you focusing on mentorship this month. It’s starting to gain more exposure and I think it will transform the would of sound in ways we cannot yet imagine. Cheers!
I think this is great. Mentoring is something we are definitely missing in all areas of society. I’d love to have the opportunity to have a sound design mentor as I earn my degree. So important.
Keep an eye out here on DS for future openings then. We’re hoping to cycle in 2 new junior contributors (mentored position) every 6 months. We’ll probably start accepting the next round of applications in September for a December start. Or look into the previously mentioned Audio Mentoring project if you’re desired focus is game audio.