The
field of mediation
is exciting, and
many people are
interested in entering
it. Unlike other
fields, there are
no clear paths to
a career in mediation.
People enter from
many different disciplines,
for example, urban
planning, law, social
work, construction,
business, etc. There
are also numerous
sectors in the mediation
field such as environmental/public
policy, family/divorce,
commercial, international,
education, community,
health, and labor.
Trainings
are a good place
to start
There
are a number of
ways to learn about
and become trained
as a mediator. There
are 30-40 hour trainings
typically available
from private firms
or through community
mediation programs.
These trainings
use simulations
to provide trainees
with opportunities
to develop their
skills. One private
organization that
offers such courses
is .
Many
communities have
community mediation
programs, something
akin to neighborhood
justice centers.
These organizations
typically provide
training to individuals
who then serve as
volunteer mediators
in their programs.
Contact the
to see if there
is a community mediation
program in your
area.
University
coursework provides
theoretical foundation
There
are also semester-long
courses available.
I taught at the
Program On Negotiation,
associated with
Harvard University,
which offers
that are open to
participants from
all disciplines
and professional
fields.
Many
colleges and universities
have courses available.
In addition, there
are a number of
graduate programs
in dispute resolution,
for example the
and
.
If you are interested
in environmental
or public policy
mediation, degrees
in planning or public
administration at
institutions with
negotiation and
conflict resolution
classes are available.
In Massachusetts,
there is the
and the .
There are also mediation
classes at many
law schools. Look
at the academic
programs listed
at
though this is not
an exhaustive list
as there is a fee
for listing.
Experience
is key
In
seeking a career
in mediation,
experience counts.
It is very important
to get real
mediation experience
beyond initial training.
Historically, there
has always been
more people interested
in being mediators
than the market
will bear. It makes
sense to get as
much direct or related
experience as possible,
to start building
a track record and
reputation.
Many
training programs
have the added benefit
of providing opportunities
to mediate community
or small claims
court cases. I recommend
seeking out those
trainings that can
provide such opportunities.
Similarly, look
for degree-granting
programs that offer
internships.
A
good way to develop
your skills and
reputation as a
mediator is to apprentice
with a mediator
who is well-known
and well-established.
Few mediators can
train more than
one person at a
time in this capacity,
so it will take
some effort to find
this type of arrangement.
Build
on your subject-area
expertise
In
starting a career
in mediation, it
is important to
try to build
on your existing
skills.
For example, if
you are a social
worker, look to
start in family
mediation and then
attempt to branch
out to other sectors.
A lawyer can begin
with court-annexed
programs, a planner
with development,
and a doctor with
health care.
If
you are having difficulty
finding work in
a mediation field,
you might consider
working in a related
field. If you're
in a position to
bring people or
organizations together,
you can practice
many of the skills
that you will need
to draw upon when
later seeking mediation
positions.
Network
through professional
organizations
The
professional
organization of
mediators
is called the . ACR has
chapters around
the globe.
Another is the .
Learn
more about what
type of mediation
interests you
If
you are looking
for some books
to get started,
begin with Getting
to Yes by Roger
Fisher and William
Ury
Others
to look at are: Mediation
by Christopher Moore When Talk Works
by Debbie Kolb Breaking the
Impasse by
Lawrence Susskind Environmental
Dispute Resolution
by Lawrence Bacow
and Michael Wheeler Consensus Building
Handbook edited
by Lawrence Susskind The Third Side
by William Ury
There
are also numerous
journals,
most importantly,
The Negotiation
Journal, available
through the
or directly from
.
Persistence
is a key feature
of a mediation career
The
most important thing
about building a
career in the field
of mediation is
that you
have to really want
it. There
are many people
seeking few spots,
but if you really
want it, it is possible.
Get yourself trained,
identify overlays
between your current
skills and the kinds
of mediation that
will be most accessible
to you, and then
begin the process
of networking and
seeking a mentor.
It's possible to
make it happen,
but expect to have
to be very persistent.