Years ago I heard the term fellowship defined as "all of us fellows, in the same boat." (Not for nothing, but the word fellow is gender-neutral when used to refer to colleagues.)
Geology classmates Connor, Dave, and Dan were already sitting at a table in the science building lobby 30 minutes before class started. They graciously welcomed me to join them as they always do. We talked about how few things were left to complete this semester. The End is Near!
These guys are science majors as are probably half of our classmates. There is a sense of camaraderie amongst the science majors that shouldn't have surprised me. But it did a little.
In the music department, we enjoy an upbeat sense of community. We are all musicians and there is usually some collaboration going on. Thanks to the faculty example, the culture is very positive and encouraging.
The twice-weekly convocation typically features student recitals. The performers are greeted with applause, whoops, and hollers when they enter the stage and when they complete their performances. It's edifying fun. I've completed my convocation requirements but have been attending all of them this semester. It's been a highlight of the week.
Another weekly opportunity for the fellows to chime in is in the recording studio. Audio majors gather to listen to and critique each others' works in progress. I always walk out of those nonthreatening peer reviews learning something new.
I will miss that regular, structured, built-in professional fellowship in a business that is increasingly siloed. When I was a staff writer-producer at Hummingbird Productions in Nashville, we had weekly playback sessions of projects we had completed within the past week. When you're freelancing and running a one-man shop, it's not easy to find that regular feedback. One thing that deliberate practice is reminding me of is the value of feedback for continued growth.
Where do you go for input and commentary on your work? Look around the boat. You're bound to find a few good fellows.
Comments