Mentor and Womentor

I have a 3d computer animation business but I didn't study computer animation in school. In fact, the one class I took which actually taught me 3d computer animation I couldn't stand. I put the least amount of effort into the class to just scrape by and move on to more important things. While working at an architecture with my old roommate from college, Jonathon, I actually began learning how to build, light, and render a 3d computer model. I learned enough to leave the architecture job to begin working full-time at a computer animation company.

Once I was there I learned a wealth of information from a guy who took the time to teach me what he knew, which was a lot. He was a graduate of CCAD and was a skilled illustrator, computer programmer, and 3d computer animator. It was 4 years of working with him which gave me the skills I have now and use everyday at work. A year ago for Thanksgiving I looked up the guy who spent his time and energy teaching me and thanked him. It was an akward situation thanking him because my former boss, whom he was still working for, had filed a law suit against our business and he was even one of the people making accusations against our business. The lawsuit was eventually dropped but despite that I felt it was the right thing to do.

The value of a mentor probably isn't stressed enough. I know that we've all had someone mentor us to help us get where we are now. I also believe that each of us should have a mentor in our life to help us continue on. Spiritual mentors, art mentors, work related mentors, or whatever. Along the same lines, I believe that we should also be mentoring someone as well. So, take a good look at your life and see what you have to offer. If nothing comes to mind ask a good close friend. If that friend says, "you don't have anything to offer" you might want to move that person off your "friend" list... or just bribe them to say something nice.