Advising Apprentices

Many apprentices do not look to any particular journeyman or master, save those that teach their regular classes. Therefore, they may go to any master or journeyman for free advice and/or tutoring.

Occasionally, an apprentice will be 'tapped' by a master or journeyman (with the consent of the apprentice, of course!) and thereafter the journeyman or master takes responsibility for guiding the apprentice in question, for reporting on that apprentice's progress, and for discipline, should that become necessary. A master may also 'tap' a journeyman, if s/he so wishes. An apprentice may request to be assigned to a mentor, either specifically or in general to help assure the apprentice's progress in his or her studies.

Usually, advisor and advisee will work closely on a project or in related studies. For instance, a voice master will advise a student who also wishes to specialize in voice, but generally will leave the drum students to the drum master.

Not all apprentices or journeyman are 'tapped'; most report generally to the senior Harper.

If an apprentice wishes to be advised by a particular harper, the apprentice should ask. The relationship may be initiated by either advisor or advisee.

The Responsibilities of the Advisor

A mentor is responsible for the steady and continuing progress of his or her mentees. In more precise terms, it means that the mentor should guide his or her students with targeted assignments or study suggestions, and should be prepared to give advice should the student ask for it or not.

The mentor is not expected to assure the student's success. He or she should, however, be prepared to prod the apprentice in the appropriate direction from time to time, and will be expected to work closely with the apprentice during their projects. In the case of a project, the mentor will act as a sounding board and also will be the first in line to review the apprentice's project. Only when the mentor feels the project is acceptable should it be passed on to the senior harpers for their approval.

In reality, it is often difficult for mentors and mentees to keep in close touch. Exchanging email addresses can help partners who have trouble scheduling online time together, and mentors may substitute short assignments for the regular roleplayed lessons. A mentor does not have to know what a student is doing every moment of the day, but should be available to the student as much as possible.

Responsibilities of the Mentee

Every student is responsible for his or her own success in the craft, whether or not he or she is assigned a mentor. With this in mind, it is the student's job to seek out his or her advisor with questions and problems, both academic and personal if so desired.

If a student feels ignored by his or her mentor, he or she should approach the advisor and ask for a meeting or lesson. Given the nature of our game, it is not always reasonable to ask the mentor to take the initiative.

While the mentor may encourage the student, the student should measure his or her own progress and should come up with project ideas that interest him or her, independent of any lessons.

Harper Life and Craft Policy