Mentors

[sneha1965]

I'd like to dedicate this link to any mentors our there and to provide a place for those to share who are either mentoring and have benefited from a mentor.

I have greatly benefited from a man named Damon Rarey. I first met Damon in January of 1994. I was a year out of grad school and was struggling trying to make it as an artist and working several part time jobs making minimum wage. One of those jobs was working as a fitness instructor at a YMCA. While working there I became friends with another guy who worked out in the gym. I hold told him about myself and he mentioned that his neighbor trained people occasionally to operate a computer graphic system that did animation for television & film.

I was intrigued with animation and that it was executed on a computer doubled my interest. I had arranged to meet Damon and we hit it off right away. Damon was the Graphics Director for Hugh Downs' daily magazine-format, Over Easy program at KQED-TV in 1976 and had also formed the very first video paint system company in 1980 with Dick Shoup called Aurora Systems.

Damon was essentially retired but still maintained an office and worked on local commercials in the Santa Rosa area as well as helped assist in maintaining the software Liberty that was then produced by Chyron Corp.

Damon was fundamental in helping me get my foot in the door as a graphic artist and animator. He invested his time freely and as a result I now have a career in the motion design field. I will forever be grateful to Damon for giving so freely to a complete stranger.

What are your stories? Do you have a mentor or are you currently mentoring someone?

[RS]

I have an unofficial mentor. I call him when I have questions specific to my field or need career advice. I met him while networking while in-between jobs. I have no idea why he decided to take an interest in me, but I am glad he did. We hang out a couple times a year and I feel very privileged to know him. He is probably the wisest, most level-headed person I know.

[Ursus Tyrannus]

I was afraid this was about the band.

[sneha1965]

Originally Posted by RS

I have an unofficial mentor. I call him when I have questions specific to my field or need career advice. I met him while networking while in-between jobs. I have no idea why he decided to take an interest in me, but I am glad he did. We hang out a couple times a year and I feel very privileged to know him. He is probably the wisest, most level-headed person I know.

I'm keeping my eyes and ears pealed. The time my mentor invested in me has multiplied 10 fold. It would be very satisfying to do it for someone else.

[MJ5150]

During my time as a drywall finisher, I taught a handful of guys the trade and helped them achieve journeyman status. For some of the younger guys, I helped them along with life and growing up in general.

My mentor was the guy who taught me drywall finishing. I came to work for him as an 18 year old know-it-all. He was hard on me, but I think that is what I needed at the time since it helped humble me. I went out on my own around age 21, but we stayed in touch. Shortly after I turned 21, I went off on wild drinking binges and general reckless behavior, and he came back around to reel me in and set me straight. Now at age 39, I still have the utmost respect and appreciation for all he has done for me. I see him all the time still, and thank him for the positive direction he game me in my life. I'm not going to say his name just because I don't think he would want me to.

-Mike

[Eric Perry]

I never had a real mentor in my life. Perhaps that's why I suck.

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by Ursus Tyrannus

I was afraid this was about the band.

Ugh. Mentors.

I was hoping it would be about Meteors.

[sneha1965]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

During my time as a drywall finisher, I taught a handful of guys the trade and helped them achieve journeyman status. For some of the younger guys, I helped them along with life and growing up in general.

My mentor was the guy who taught me drywall finishing. I came to work for him as an 18 year old know-it-all. He was hard on me, but I think that is what I needed at the time since it helped humble me. I went out on my own around age 21, but we stayed in touch. Shortly after I turned 21, I went off on wild drinking binges and general reckless behavior, and he came back around to reel me in and set me straight. Now at age 39, I still have the utmost respect and appreciation for all he has done for me. I see him all the time still, and thank him for the positive direction he game me in my life. I'm not going to say his name just because I don't think he would want me to.

-Mike

Nice to see you paying it forward. I'm sure it's nice to see peoples lives improve through your help.