Jinn

Has anyone considered the idea of a "Tilted Mentoring" program? Not an official forum per se, but an unofficial method of disseminating expert information between interested parties.

One of the things missing from my personal, as well as virtual, life is the presense of known experts in given areas of interest. I think it would be extremely valuable for all members of TFP to have direct conversation with people with professional or academic expertise in certain categories.

There have been many occasions that I pondered creating a topic with a very specific question, but hestitated for fear that I'd get opinions from many users with little to no experience in the area. We've got specific threads for doctors and dentists, but what if you had a list of available "experts" who you could PM with a specific question?

I know from post activity that we've got a wide variety of disciplines on TFP; we've got dentists and doctors, pyschologists and school teachers, business owners and professional musicians. I know there are tons more, but I'm interested in perhaps developing a list and establishing relationships between people who are distinctly interested in those career fields or knowledge pools. I'm not as interested in getting everyone's opinion on something like teaching techniques, but I would love to hear the same question answered by someone who was actually a teacher.

So my suggestion is a thread where people declare their "expertise," as well as topics that they could benefit from having a Mentor in. For example:

I have a desire to associate with skilled teachers and writers, clinical pyschologists, sociological researchers, software engineers, web designers, and multimedia consultants.

If you're a member of one of those classes, and you posted identifying yourself as such, you would be offering to recieve and respond to topical PMs based on your expertise or experience.

If I had a question about being a teacher, I could PM someone who identifies themselves below as such, and they would attempt to respond in a timely manner. The other advantage of speaking to an expert is that they can provide you with links and names of individuals who might also help you, names that could or would not otherwise be shared in a public discussion.

I realize the primary concern with a situation like this is that people will pose as "experts" in skills or careers that they truly are not. However, I think this will be strongly counter-acted by two things:

(1) there is much more honesty and personalization to TFP, and people are less likely to lie about their career here than elsewhere, and
(2) revealing a layman posing as an expert is typically quite easy over the course of multiple discussions.

Should you believe their 'expert' status to be fraudulent, you can simply stop asking them questions. Credentials or actual names need not be provided unless the "expert" themselves wishes to provide it.

***

If you think this is a good idea, I hope you'll reply with your believed area of expertise as well as areas in which you could use an expert opinion. It may sound very similar to a resume, personal details necessarily omitted.

If you don't think this is a a good idea (for whatever reason, varying from decrying my redundancy to my stupidity) please be kind enough to detail why and omit your name from the list.

I'll start:

I have a desire to associate with skilled teachers and writers, clinical pyschologists, sociological researchers, software engineers, web designers, and multimedia consultants. I have particular interest in the subjects of Mental Disorders, Teaching Strategies, Usability and Interface Dersign, Video Game Design, Digital Sound Design (in Cubase or Max/MSP) and 3D Model creation (in Maya or 3DS Max).

I have professional experience (2+ years) as a Software Analyst, apprentice-level experience as a Web Designer, and am University-level educated in Computer Science and Video Game Design. I am also an advice columnist for a weekly newspaper. I have acted as a undergraduate Peer Tutor for 1.5 years at the University level, including developing cirriculum and grading submitted work. I welcome PMs.

__________________
"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

thingstodo

I think this would be a pretty good idea.

I feel I'm pretty knowledgeable in business and employee management although not so much in the small business end. I've managed employees for 30 years with increasing responsibility and now have responsibility for about 500 people along with the marketing, P&L, accounting center (AR and AP) and operations aspects of the business. The business unit is a subsidiary of a major company.

I would welcome PMs and always have an opinion!

__________________
If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

abaya

Great thread idea, Jinn.

Well, my areas of experience (not necessarily "expertise") are:

Formal training:
--Teaching at the secondary and college level
--Social science research, particularly anthropology and demography
--Immigration theory and research
--Writing and publishing, both personally and academically
--Leadership of a medium-sized group/team (30-60 people)

Personal experience:
--All forms of immigration to the US and abroad
--Changing careers several times
--Becoming a graduate student
--Long-distance relationships
--Getting married in a damn hurry

EDIT after following post: Right, Jinn, forgot about what I would want to learn. There are just so many things I am interested in... and I always, always need to learn more.

But here are a few topics I want to know more about:

--All of the "formal" things I listed above
--Immigration law (practice)
--Cross-cultural psychology
--Cognitive-behavioral therapy
--Great new (or old) literature I should be reading
--American Evangelical Christians & other types of religious fundamentalists
--Non-pop Buddhism
--Religious belief/experience and science
--Faith and relativism/pluralism
--What to do with a social science PhD when you don't want to be a professor or census employee
--Healthy marriage
--Raising healthy kids

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

Jinn

Thanks, Abaya!

Don't forget to list areas that you'd like to learn in, as well; areas you'd like to know an expert..

__________________
"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

kurty[B]

Formal Training:
-CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), to me means I can answer general networking questions, and efficiently do my job, but I am no expert.
-Otherwise I am looking at 9 years of Systems Admin experience, ick, it's been that long.

Personal Experience:
-Sys Admin experience
-Customer Service
-Outdoor survival
-Long distance cycling
-Snowboarding/Skiing
-Limited Avalanche training (I would contact your local Avalanche Information Center before using myself as a resource).

Things I Want to Learn More About
-Pick Up More on Microsoft Server environments (probably take the MCSE along with this)
-Continue working on my Spanish, start learning Portuguese and Hindi
-DIY Home Improvement Projects (from landscaping, to deck-building, to interior remodelling)
-I want to delve into International Business and Revenue Management, but I see this being something I need to pick up in a hands on environment (with people I can walk into their office and watch/ask questions, or in a college environment)

ShaniFaye

My formal training has been in
Entomology
Payroll Taxes in 35 states

but...I've been out of both fields for so long Im sure my knowledge is WAY out dated.

Personal Experience
I was also certified at one time in Genealogy, the only reason Im not still was you had to pay an exorbitant amount of money to renew the certification and I didnt have the funds...but I did take and pass the test with flying colors several years ago

I'm also pretty great at wedding planning, though I don't do it "professionally"

I cant think of anything at the moment I want to know more about

(great idea!!)

__________________
I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

abaya

Shani... you are a GREAT resource for information about BDSM and kink, being a Mistress, and other related topics. Please don't neglect that "personal experience!"

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

Ourcrazymodern?

horticulturist. (You can lead...)

Relationship thoughtfullists, please.

__________________
BE JUST AND FEAR NOT