The Great Ones All Had Them

Abstract

Applied sociology has moved slowly in developing the next generation of applied sociologists. A mentoring program geared at shepherding may promote the field and help to retain the next generation of applied sociologists. First, I will list some of the great philosophers, sociologists, and agents of social change and their mentors. Second, I will describe sociologist George Herbert Mead’s social self and link that concept to the significance of storytelling. Third, I will provide a definition of mentoring and describe several types of mentoring models. Fourth, I will summarize results from empirical studies that demonstrate mentoring’s effectiveness. Finally, this address offers a call for action that we create mentoring opportunities, actively recruit new members, and retain current ones.