Academic

Paying it Forward in the Legal Academy

By Jacqueline Lipton

In recent years, a number of senior colleagues - who I won't name here for fear of embarrassing them - have helped me out in the professional context by both agreeing to serve as references for hiring, promotion, tenure, fellowships etc, and by making the time to give helpful career advice.  Often when I have asked how to thank them, they have told me to "pay it forward":  in other words, it's part of the job.  They help me, and I help the next junior person who comes along seeking career support or advice.  So I must say that I'm both extremely grateful to all the people who have helped me over the years, and I've tried my best to pay it forward not just because they told me to, but because it's obviously the right thing to do regardless of whether anyone has helped you or not.

But I've recently noticed one interesting phenomenon about the "pay it forward" mentality.  It just so happens that all the people who have specifically asked me to pay it forward have been women.  I wonder if this is just coincidence, or if there is something in it?  Is it possible that there is a gender difference in attitudes to mentoring?  Perhaps men tend to work more in a buddy system eg you help me and I help you, and women tend to work more inter-generationally in this context?  I know this seems a little far-fetched, but I'd be interested if anyone has any thoughts or experiences they want to share along these lines.

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on September 04, 2009 (boomark / email).