What mentors say
Nick Merriman, Director of Museums and Collections and Reader in Museum Studies, Institute of Archaeology
'I became involved in the scheme because I had benefited hugely from informal mentoring and support from colleagues while doing the old style Diploma, and wanted to do the same for the next generation of professionals.
I hope I have been a help to my mentees in being someone who is there to be a non-judgemental supporter and adviser, who is able to ask the right kind of questions to help them come to their own conclusions about their developement.
Personally I have gained great pleasure in seeing mentees develop their career and engage in the wider network of museum professionals.'
Martin Barnes, Curator, Photographs, Victoria and Albert Museum
'The experience I had as a mentee was extremely positive and made me realise how much there is to learn in this unique professional relationship.
It made me want to continue to help and learn as a mentor myself. In the role of AMA mentor I gain perspectives that I would not normally have in my daily work that refresh my outlook.
The mentoring process contributes to the sharing of skills often unique to the museum profession.'
Mark Taylor, Director, Museums Association
'To be selfish, I think being a mentor has been great for me. Apart from improving my listening and analytical skills, it has introduced me to the hopes, ambitions, fears and frustrations of a wide range of people in the museum profession.
This has given me fresh insights and perspectives that I previously lacked. For my mentees I hope I have helped them negotiate the difficult process that requires them to identify the gaps in their knowledge, the variety of ways they can work on filling the gaps and confirming the importance of life long professional development.
In truth, I suspect, the greatest benefit of having a mentor is the facility to talk in confidence and peace and quiet to somebody who is experienced and knowledgeable but who is removed, in all senses, from their working lives.'
Jael Edwards, Education and Lifelong Learning Manager, YMLAC
'I became involved as I saw the AMA as having been an essential component of my own personal and professional development.
The contribution that my own mentor made was invaluable and I wanted to be able to give that support and direction to someone else.
Mapping the development of my career and reflecting on key moments allowed me to understand how best to facilitate this process for others in the sector.'
Michael Day, Chief Executive, Historic Royal Palaces
'I got involved as a mentor on the scheme because I wanted to learn about the mentoring process, to improve my skills and to give something back to people at earlier stages in their careers.
All these benefits happened - I have had three great mentees. I've enjoyed working with them all, seeing them develop through the programme and get their AMAs, and one of them is now working with me in my current organisation.
All of us have gained from the experience. I'd thoroughly recommend becoming a mentor.'
Isabel Churcher, Head of Museums Services, Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
'The Mentoring scheme has given me the opportunity to meet interesting professional colleagues who are keen to develop themselves, and to learn about other organisations.
I have enjoyed the challenge of providing the best ways of supporting my mentees and I've had great fun learning together with them.
Most of all, as members of the profession have provided me with support through the years, I feel that this is my opportunity to give back to other colleagues and to the profession.'
'I became involved in the scheme because I had benefited hugely from informal mentoring and support from colleagues while doing the old style Diploma, and wanted to do the same for the next generation of professionals.
I hope I have been a help to my mentees in being someone who is there to be a non-judgemental supporter and adviser, who is able to ask the right kind of questions to help them come to their own conclusions about their developement.
Personally I have gained great pleasure in seeing mentees develop their career and engage in the wider network of museum professionals.'
Martin Barnes, Curator, Photographs, Victoria and Albert Museum
'The experience I had as a mentee was extremely positive and made me realise how much there is to learn in this unique professional relationship.
It made me want to continue to help and learn as a mentor myself. In the role of AMA mentor I gain perspectives that I would not normally have in my daily work that refresh my outlook.
The mentoring process contributes to the sharing of skills often unique to the museum profession.'
Mark Taylor, Director, Museums Association
'To be selfish, I think being a mentor has been great for me. Apart from improving my listening and analytical skills, it has introduced me to the hopes, ambitions, fears and frustrations of a wide range of people in the museum profession.
This has given me fresh insights and perspectives that I previously lacked. For my mentees I hope I have helped them negotiate the difficult process that requires them to identify the gaps in their knowledge, the variety of ways they can work on filling the gaps and confirming the importance of life long professional development.
In truth, I suspect, the greatest benefit of having a mentor is the facility to talk in confidence and peace and quiet to somebody who is experienced and knowledgeable but who is removed, in all senses, from their working lives.'
Jael Edwards, Education and Lifelong Learning Manager, YMLAC
'I became involved as I saw the AMA as having been an essential component of my own personal and professional development.
The contribution that my own mentor made was invaluable and I wanted to be able to give that support and direction to someone else.
Mapping the development of my career and reflecting on key moments allowed me to understand how best to facilitate this process for others in the sector.'
Michael Day, Chief Executive, Historic Royal Palaces
'I got involved as a mentor on the scheme because I wanted to learn about the mentoring process, to improve my skills and to give something back to people at earlier stages in their careers.
All these benefits happened - I have had three great mentees. I've enjoyed working with them all, seeing them develop through the programme and get their AMAs, and one of them is now working with me in my current organisation.
All of us have gained from the experience. I'd thoroughly recommend becoming a mentor.'
Isabel Churcher, Head of Museums Services, Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
'The Mentoring scheme has given me the opportunity to meet interesting professional colleagues who are keen to develop themselves, and to learn about other organisations.
I have enjoyed the challenge of providing the best ways of supporting my mentees and I've had great fun learning together with them.
Most of all, as members of the profession have provided me with support through the years, I feel that this is my opportunity to give back to other colleagues and to the profession.'
