PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Mentors and Mentees


Keri A. Nutter, CPG-11579 knutter@dowl.com


I have to admit that I really didn’t


know what to write about for my President’s column this quarter. For the last edition it was pretty easy because I had a memorable and significant event of geological interest happen in my life that I could share with my colleagues. But this edition is different – it’s been an interesting kick-off to the season, with spring arriving much earlier than I can ever remember and construction season well-underway keeping my spring (and mind) busy!


And then, I realized that at the end


of May I would be celebrating my 15th work anniversary with my company. The same company with which I got my first professional job fresh out of college and the same company that has facilitated my career in a field that I never thought I would find interest in or passion for. And that got me to thinking about all of the people in the past 15 years that have helped me along the way – the family, friends, and colleagues who provided unconditional support and guidance in my journey so far.


My mentors and peers are the key-


stone to everything that I have had opportunity to do over the last 15 years; the projects I have had the privilege to work on, the locations for the work I have been able to visit, and the people I have met along the way. These mentors and peers have provided advice and been examples of the type of person/employee/ professional that I want to be – challeng- ing me to do better and elevate my expec- tations of myself. And the interesting thing is, I didn’t really go searching for these mentors, they just kind of appeared in my life. And I don’t say that to sound cavalier, because I realize that many of my peers have limited resources to find mentors that they can look up to, but I say it to convey my surprised realization that I didn’t even recognize they were mentors until I took a moment to reflect on my career so far.


For example, my first supervisor sim-


ply started out as my boss, telling me where I would go and how I should be


www.aipg.org “


My mentors and peers are the keystone to every- thing that I have had opportunity to do over the last 15 years...


doing things, but it was so guiding, and our time together was full of teaching moments. She not only taught me the technical side but made me realize that I had the potential to do things I would NEVER have dreamed of doing or trying. She also helped me to find strength and in turn I was able to provide support where she did not feel as strong (she doesn’t like social functions, but I love them!). She introduced me to clients and colleagues in our community with whom I still keep connected and shared with me the tricks of travel in rural Alaska that I can now share with my peers.


When I first joined AIPG, it was a


vehicle to get my CPG so I could get a raise and achieve a higher level profes- sional status in my community. What I didn’t realize was that it would also provide me with a very long list of men- tors and peers and their wide variety of experiences and advice. The personal and professional growth I have gained from participating in AIPG, at the sec- tion and national level, is exponential and from people that I would not nor- mally have had the opportunity meet and connect with.


What I am trying to say is that you can


find your mentor in unexpected places. There are formal programs to put you in touch with professionals that are in your field or of similar background and close proximity – these are fantastic to help in defined ways and fulfill mentoring where opportunity may be lacking. But also, do not discount the mentors that don’t share the same resume, geographic location, or interests. The mentors who don’t immediately seem like mentors are equally valuable to personal and profes- sional growth. They provide you with unique perspectives you wouldn’t find in most of your inner or intermediate professional or social circles.


AIPG has an option in the member directory to sign up to be a mentor or a mentee and the opportunity to be connect- ed with a fellow AIPG member. Just go to http://aipg.org/page. php?ID=mentors to learn more and to sign up!


In this issue of TPG, Young Professional Brandy Barnes writes about the mentors in her education and career and shares a beautiful tribute to a very special mentor and colleague. Her story is a wonderful example of how to maximize your mentor-mentee relation- ship and capitalize on the professional and personal benefits and friendships.


As you read this, I have one thing


to ask: Please thank your mentors and colleagues.


Thank them often and thank them sincerely. Many of these people likely may not even realize they are a mentor and to find out the impact they have had on someone can have a great positive affect for them personally and profes- sionally. I have found that taking a few minutes to write a thank you note after a meeting or helpful conversation can really make someone’s day. For those more electronically inclined, an email can be as impactful and well worth the time.


So, to my mentors, who over the years


have provided support, guidance, and friendship – Thank You!


Jul.Aug.Sep 2019 • TPG 33


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