Long before I found my way into school communications, I spent a career in broadcast and print journalism, frequently surrounded by fellow reporters, anchors, and editors who were far more experienced and quite often intimidating. That feeling may be familiar to anyone who has moved into school PR from outside of education.

Newsroom culture, especially that of a decade or two (or more) past, would send most school-based HR departments screaming. Journalists often worked in physically close quarters, under the palpable pressure of continual deadlines, in a gritty, irreverent culture that lived by its own rules. It was a bold and messy environment, a strange mix of egos and personas mingled with broad views of what constituted journalistic standards.

In the midst of so much frenetic energy, it’s easy to feel spun around, much the way school comms folks sometimes do when we are charged with leading one of the district’s most important functions – often by ourselves. For me, the stability to navigate and manage that energy with some level of grace has come in form of mentors.

Several mentors truly shaped my professional and even my personal life in news, and now in school communications. They’ve been gifts in my life and career. They tolerated my incessant questions about the industry, let me tag along to study what they did and how they did it, provided feedback on my work, and perhaps most importantly, they offered perspective, support, and friendship.

If you don’t have a mentor, get one. Get several! Use PennSPRA as well as other professional connections to spend time and learn from those you admire. Collaborate. Connect. After all, we really are all in this together, and we must be here to help and support each other.

A mentor doesn’t have to be someone who has logged many more professional miles. Sometimes, a connection with a colleague who is traveling a similar path to yours can be extremely valuable as you can compare experiences and grow together. A mentor can come in many forms, and can even be someone from outside this specific industry.

This past October, I lost one of my closest friends and a longtime mentor, my morning co-anchor from KYW Radio in Philadelphia. Though it’s been 20 years since I left news, Harry Donahue remained a steady presence in my life, and I’ve felt his absence in so many ways.

I think back to the myriad of expert journalists from whom I learned across many newsrooms, each with their own style and wisdom. But it was truly invaluable to have someone like Harry who always took time to answer my call or text when I needed to talk through a scenario or an issue in my post-news life in school communications. Still working in TV when cancer took his life at 77, Harry’s energy and drive was a constant inspiration. He was an indefatigable optimist and an eternal supporter. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a Harry in their life.

It’s important to note that Harry didn’t jump up to offer to be my mentor. That relationship grew over time. If you don’t have the great fortune of already having a colleague you can turn to, don’t be shy about reaching out to someone to ask if they’d be willing to talk through a situation, review a document, or simply meet for lunch. Chances are, they will truly appreciate the call and will be happy to make time. And, when you’ve reached a point in your career where you are confident enough to provide that support to someone else, don’t forget to gently offer it, as well. It could be one of the most important professional relationships, and maybe even friendships, that you develop.

I am so honored to serve as an at-large member of the PenSPRA Board. I hope to see and meet more of you at the conference in March!