Mentors vs. Professors – What’s the Difference?
At RRF, we don’t have typical college professors, instructors or teachers. Our extern-based learning approach requires something more: that’s why our instructors are called mentors.
What does that mean? How is a mentor different from a professor? Here are several key differences:
DIFFERENCE #1: PROFESSORS TEACH, WHILE MENTORS DO
There’s a commonly known saying: “Those who can’t do, teach.” It’s a saying that lots of teachers don’t particularly like, but there is some truth to it nonetheless. While many teachers choose the teaching profession simply out of a love for teaching, the fact is, colleges and trade schools are loaded with professors who are NOT making a living doing what they teach—and that’s why they are teaching.
In RRF’s learn-by-doing approach, we can’t afford to have someone teaching because they couldn’t DO what they teach. The principle “Those who can’t do, teach” can be disastrous when it comes to trades like film, recording and broadcasting; you need to be taught by someone who IS doing what they teach, and doing it successfully. That is why instead of full-time professors, we utilize professional mentors who are working full-time in real studios and production companies. Our mentors are not making a living by teaching; they are making a living by DOING what they teach—and that is precisely why they are qualified to teach YOU how to succeed.
DIFFERENCE #2: PROFESSORS ARE INVESTED IN THEIR CLASS; MENTORS ARE INVESTED IN YOUR SUCCESS
In a typical college environment, a professor is primarily interested in teaching the prescribed material, and often does not particularly care whether the student passes or fails the course. Even if the professor is particularly passionate about teaching, there are usually too many students in the class for that professor to take a personal interest in each student.
By contrast, a RRFCmentor is more deeply invested in your success as a student, because that mentor is taking you on as an extern in his/her own studio or production facility. With RRF’s extern-based learning approach, the student-teacher relationship begins with the mentor taking a personal interest in your growth, your development, and ultimately your success. A mentor is not just interested in conveying the information to you; the mentor is also deeply interested in making sure you understand the material and can apply it. The end result is a much more effective and successful education.
DIFFERENCE #3: PROFESSORS TEACH A GROUP; MENTORS GUIDE INDIVIDUALS
One of the most powerful elements of RRF’s learning approach is one-on-one instruction. While college professors must teach a minimum number of students all at once, a RRFCmentor has only one student: you. This means you have the mentor’s undivided attention during your classes, giving you plenty of opportunities to ask questions and get clarity while you learn by doing.
RRFChas mentors in studios and production companies all over the world; that’s why RRFCis the school that comes to you! CLICK HERE to see just a sampling of our many locations.
