I never thought of myself as being an effective “mentor.”

First, I have neither the time nor patience to “babysit” student journalists. The idea of hand-holding someone through the difference between a lede and a lead, or explaining again why “very unique” is a grammatical crime, sounds more like a punishment than a privilege.

And yet, here I am — cornered by reality, humbled by experience, and grudgingly admitting that maybe mentorship isn’t what I thought it was.

The problem isn’t the students. It’s the word “mentor.”

It sounds lofty, ceremonial — like you’re being knighted in a candlelit newsroom with a red pen.

In practice, it’s more like sharing a Google Doc at 9 pm with a panicked sophomore while you both try to outwit a deadline.

I used to think being a mentor meant playing the wise oracle. Now I know it’s mostly about showing up — editing with empathy, offering the occasional pep talk, and knowing when to say, “Just cut that graf. It’s not f*cking working.”

The truth is, today’s journalism students don’t want babysitters.

They want partners. They crave rigor, not rituals. Most are already more digitally savvy than I’ll ever be, but they still look to us — begrudging, alcohol-stained veterans — for perspective. For accountability. For a nudge toward the uncomfortable truth.

And in that transaction, I’ve learned as much as I’ve taught.

Probably more. I’ve learned that TikTok can be a valid reporting tool (yeah, right). I’ve learned that objectivity isn’t dead, but it’s got a few new tattoos.

I’ve learned that teaching journalism means believing in its future, even when its present feels like a flaming tire rolling downhill.

Mentorship, I’ve discovered, isn’t about ego or legacy.

It’s about trust. It’s about making peace with the idea that someone might outwrite you someday — and being proud you helped sharpen their pencil.

So no, I never saw myself as a mentor.

But if that’s what this chaotic, rewarding, absurdly underpaid gig makes me — fine. Just don’t expect me to babysit.

I’ll be too busy learning from my interns.