Pete Bryant is Chief Executive Officer at the World Nuclear Transport Institute and a Past President of SRP.

Why I Love Being an SRP Mentor

When The Society for Radiological Protection launched its Mentorship Programme, I was lucky enough to be one of the very first mentors. Since then, I ' ve had the privilege of supporting four fantastic mentees – some based in the UK, others from our international community.

The SRP Mentoring Scheme SRP ' s Mentoring Scheme aims to match less experienced radiation protection professionals with senior members who can offer advice and guidance. Help may include, but is not limited to, career progression or publication of a paper or conference poster. It ' s envisaged that mentees will normally be SRP members in their early / mid careers, e. g. within the first 10 years of their RP career. Nevertheless, the scheme is open to any SRP member who wishes to use it.

More information is available here

What ' s made the experience so rewarding is the sheer passion and drive each mentee has brought to the table. From those taking their very first steps in radiation protection to others pushing on with their academic studies, every single person has shown real determination to grow and succeed. That energy is infectious – it reminds me of why I love this profession.

Some of my proudest moments as a mentor have been helping someone land their first job, encouraging them through tough study programmes and simply watching them thrive. Seeing those lightbulb moments – where confidence grows and new opportunities open up – is what it ' s all about.

I often joke that I can ' t wait for the day when one of my mentees becomes my boss. And honestly, I mean it. Nothing would make me happier than seeing them lead the way in radiation protection.

Being a mentor has been a privilege, a joy and a reminder that the best thing we can do is help others succeed. If you ever get the chance to mentor, take it – you ' ll get just as much out of it as the people you support.

For me, mentoring has never been about giving people the“ right” answers. It ' s about listening, sharing experiences, and helping someone unlock their own potential. And it ' s definitely a two-way street. I ' ve learned just as much from my mentees as they have from me – their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm keep me on my toes.

Would you like to be a Mentor? If you ' ve been inspired by Pete ' s article and would like to be a mentor then please do get in touch( admin @ srp-uk. org). We are always looking for enthusiastic and committed mentors covering the full range of radiation protection sectors.

32 Radiation Protection Today www. srp-rpt. uk