In the fast-moving world of medical communication, continuous learning and upskilling are essential. Formal training and certifications play a crucial role in these processes, but other activities can also be powerful tools for our professional development as writers and editors.
I recently had the opportunity to speak about upskilling at the conference organized by the Greater Chicago Area Chapter of the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA). I discussed coaching and mentoring as important relationships that can facilitate upskilling in our field, and after my presentation, someone asked me if I have a formal coach or mentor. I replied that although I haven’t had anyone advising me formally, peer mentoring has been essential in my professional journey.
Unlike traditional mentor-mentee relationships, peer mentoring is built on mutual exchange. It’s a collaborative process in which professionals at similar career stages support each other’s growth through shared feedback, encouragement, and even accountability.
Peer mentoring can take many forms. It can involve informal exchanges, virtual writing groups, or structured writing or editing feedback sessions. Medical writers might meet monthly to share recent work, discuss challenges, or review certain aspects of the writing process. Medical editors might trade documents for second reads, offering fresh perspectives on clarity, brevity, and tone. These interactions may even naturally take place between work colleagues or between freelancers who collaborate and meet on a regular basis.
The benefits of peer mentoring go beyond building specific skills. Peer mentoring helps professionals overcome isolation, boosts confidence, and offers space to brainstorm ideas or ask questions one might hesitate to raise in a more hierarchal setting. It also encourages reflective practice, so, for example, when we give or receive feedback, we may become more aware of our own habits and gaps. Peer mentoring allows us to build empathy, as well as refine problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
Starting a peer mentoring relationship doesn’t require a formal program. We can reach out to a colleague we clicked with, join a professional association’s networking group, or propose a collaboration to someone we met at a recent conference or webinar. I highly recommend co-presenting at a conference as a first step!
We work in a field where clear communication and precise language help to save lives, so upskilling and growing through peer mentoring isn’t just good for our career, but also for the people who rely on our words.
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