Mentoring Others for the Future

by 2009-2010 ASNT President Joel W. Whitaker*

WHY SHOULD YOU MENTOR a young person in nondestructive testing (NDT)? In the next five to ten years, there will be a significant demand for NDT personnel as the United States and the world expand the building of power plants, replacing aging infrastructures and potentially increasing inspections of oil rig platforms. Qualified and talented NDT personnel require a unique skill set, which includes dexterity, a sharp mental state, good physical agility and a desire to perform the job. Without an influx of NDT personnel, the world could potentially be a little less safe.

These are some of the reasons you should consider being an NDT mentor. Now, you’re probably wondering it takes to become one. It takes the same level of interest, commitment and confidence in your own abilities that it takes to mentor any student. It also requires that you be sincerely interested in someone else’s growth. You won’t win any awards, but you will have the satisfaction of having done an important job.

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"You won’t win any awards, but you will have the satisfaction of having done an important job."

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Typically, mentoring is a personal project carried out by one person teaching another. Where I am employed, however, we are starting a formal mentoring process where each mentor within the group has been chosen because of a special expertise in which they have obtained a degree of excellence. For instance, we have a group of college NDT technology interns from Chattanooga State Community College this summer. I have assigned one of them to be mentored in the area of computed radiography with a resident expert who enjoys showing off his abilities. In addition to wanting to show off, this mentor has taken a personal interest to make sure his student gets the right type of instruction.

I was lucky enough to have many mentors over the course of time. Most of us who were mentored during our careers have great memories of the experience and that gives us a desire to give back. In other words, we have a desire to pay it forward. I am also fortunate to have G. Wayne Hembree (ASME Section V and ASNT member) as an employee. Hembree has more than 40 years of experience in the NDT business and is an excellent mentor. I have thoroughly enjoyed setting up conversations between Hembree, interns and myself. It is easy to get Hembree talking about his endless adventures in the NDT profession, and these stories seem to light a spark within the students he works with.

Whatever your reason for being a mentor, you will find it a special experience. Nothing can quite match the satisfaction you get from sharing your experience to help others.

ASNT offers an excellent opportunity to start mentoring by becoming an electronic mentor through the e-Mentoring program. This is a great opportunity to give advice to students as they progress through their NDT education. ASNT matches a registered mentor with each student. Should you have further questions regarding the ASNT e-Mentoring program, contact the membership department at (800) 222-2768 or (614) 274-6003. You may also contact the e-Mentoring program via e-mail at mentoring@asnt.org.

Again, as a volunteer I encourage each of you to make a special effort to share your knowledge and experience with those who will become our future leaders.