What do we mean by “Mentorship?”

Some words to describe relationships

Student-Teacher

In this classic setup, the teacher provides structured knowledge (in theory), and the student follows a curriculum. The process is highly repeatable and consistent for many students. While hierarchical, there’s still room for the teacher to learn from student insights and help tie concepts together, though within the limits of a standardized framework and time.

Money: Typically funded through tuition, fees, or by a third party (e.g., companies or governments). “Free” options, such as public education or online platforms, are ultimately paid for through taxes, donations, or sponsorships. No matter the setup, someone is always covering the cost, and the process is designed for scalability rather than unique, tailored guidance.

At PE: Sometimes, it’s easier to fall back on “student-teacher” terminology, but it’s important to differentiate what we do at Perpetual Education. Being a “student” often implies passively absorbing information without taking ownership of the process. At PE, that’s not how it works. You do the learning—it’s your responsibility to engage, explore, and build the skills. We aren’t revealing a secret process or simply transferring knowledge from brain to brain. Instead, we act as a force multiplier, helping you connect the dots, offering support, and keeping you on track as you work toward your goals. It’s about empowerment, not just following a curriculum.

Mentor-Mentee

A mentor shares personal experience and offers long-term guidance in a more casual, tailored way. This relationship usually centers around personal or professional growth, with a deep understanding of the individual’s goals and needs.

Money: Mentorship is traditionally unpaid, but paid services (e.g., MentorCruise) do exist. Workplaces may fund mentorship programs or integrate mentoring into job roles.

At PE: We use this term often at Perpetual Education because we take significant time to get to know each person, their unique goals, and create custom steps and guidance for what they want to achieve. It’s not just another class on their list. It’s personal, long-term, and they aren’t passed between teachers who don’t know their whole story. This is why the words “mentor” and “mentorship” resonates with us—it reflects a genuine investment in the individual’s journey.

Coach-Coachee

A coach helps someone develop skills or meet specific goals through structured guidance and accountability. Coaches don’t necessarily need to be experts in the same field but are skilled in helping unlock potential by providing support, feedback, and direction.

Money: Paid coaching services are common, especially in fields like business, personal development, and leadership programs. Companies often provide access to coaching as part of their employee development.

At PE: We use the term “coach” at Perpetual Education because accountability is a key aspect of what we offer. People are more complex than just needing to learn a subject; they may struggle with time management, focus, building grit, or making tough career decisions. Our coaching involves much more than ushering someone through a repeatable course—it’s about supporting them emotionally, reconnecting them to their goals, and helping them navigate personal and professional challenges. This personalized approach goes beyond a simple curriculum.

Apprentice-Master

An apprentice learns a craft or trade by working closely with a highly skilled expert, traditionally referred to as the “master.” The focus is on hands-on skill acquisition through experience, with the apprentice gradually contributing more to the expert’s work.

Money: Apprenticeships can be paid, particularly in skilled trades, or unpaid in fields like the arts. Some companies also fund internal apprenticeships to train employees.

Note on Terminology: The term “master” has historical connotations linked to systems of oppression, and many organizations are moving toward terms like “mentor,” “expert,” or “lead” to reflect a more equitable relationship.

At PE: While we occasionally take on interns, we also involve people in real projects in a way that resembles apprenticeships when their skills are ready for it. However, we don’t label them “apprentices”—we just call them designers. It’s about recognizing their contributions and skills from the start, rather than placing them in a traditional apprentice role.

Peer-Peer (Collaborators)

In peer learning, both people are equals, sharing knowledge and ideas with no hierarchy. It’s about mutual growth, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Money: If done in a work environment, it’s part of the job. Otherwise, in study groups or open-source projects, it’s usually unpaid and informal.

Colleague-Coach

Within a workplace, one colleague may help another develop in a specific area. Both benefit from the interaction, often with a focus on skill-building or productivity improvement.

Money: This can be part of a paid job role or happen informally, without additional compensation.

At PE: Sometimes we hire people onto real projects, and at that point, we’re really equals. While some of us may have more real-world experience, we’re all responsible for thinking through the situation and coming up with ideas to address it. The more experienced team members naturally step into a coaching role, sharing their insights and guiding others, but the dynamic remains collaborative. We aren’t just “instructors”—we’re partners in problem-solving and creative thinking. This balance between experience and mutual respect drives our work forward.

Learning Partners (Both Learning)

Two people explore a new skill together, sharing the learning experience and supporting each other’s growth.

Money: When part of a work project or paid course, both people may be compensated. In casual setups like study partners, it’s typically unpaid and relies on mutual effort.

Facilitator-Participant

A facilitator guides a group through workshops or sessions, encouraging participants to explore topics and collaborate. Facilitators focus on guiding discovery rather than acting as the main authority.

Money: Facilitators are typically paid for running workshops or seminars, though in some community or volunteer settings, they may donate their time or rely on sponsorships.

At PE: We function like facilitators, guiding individuals through workshops and providing tools, but ultimately, they are responsible for putting in the work. While “facilitator” and “participant” are technically accurate, they don’t capture the personal connection we build with each person. It’s not just about helping people through a process; it’s about understanding their goals and helping them grow in a way that’s deeply personal and tailored to them. It’s a partnership in their creative and professional journey, not just a role-based interaction.

Workshop Guide

A guide leads a group through a workshop, focusing on hands-on learning and practical skill development. Workshops are usually short and highly focused, with participants engaging directly in the process.

Money: Workshop guides are typically paid, either through participant fees or by an organization. Free community workshops may rely on volunteer guides.

At PE: You don’t always need to be an expert to guide people through a process. Workshops are about exploration and becoming comfortable with not knowing everything upfront. Guides can vary in experience and skill depending on the needs of the workshop. In fact, being a guide is an important learning and leadership opportunity in itself. It’s about facilitating discovery and helping others grow, while continuing to learn and evolve along the way.

Seminar or Speaker

Speakers or seminar leaders provide one-time presentations or discussions on specific topics. These sessions are usually less interactive than workshops but offer valuable insights and knowledge.

Money: Speakers are typically paid for their time and expertise, either through event fees or organizational sponsorship. Free seminars may be funded by sponsors or nonprofits.

At PE: We often invite people to come and share their stories or give talks on a variety of subjects. Sometimes, it’s out of their own desire to share their experiences, and in those cases, it’s more informal. Other times, when it requires significant work, time, and preparation, we absolutely compensate them for their time and expertise. It’s a balance between community-driven sharing and recognizing the value of professional contributions.

Guide for Retreats or Bootcamps

Retreats or bootcamps are immersive, multi-day events where guides lead participants through intensive learning experiences. These programs may focus on personal development, technical skills, or creative endeavors.

Money: These are typically paid experiences, often at a premium due to their immersive nature. Some workplaces may fund these for employee development.

In coding boot camps, it’s common for teachers or TAs to be recent graduates. Sometimes this works fine, but other times it’s less effective. Their primary goal is often to keep everyone on pace and ensure they move through the material, rather than providing deep personalization. The curriculum is usually built to be repeatable and standardized, so there’s not always room to tailor the experience to individual needs. This contrasts with our approach at PE, where we prioritize personalization and guidance based on unique goals.

Mentor-Coach

A mentor-coach provides both long-term advice (mentor) and short-term, goal-focused assistance (coach), blending strategic guidance with tactical support to help individuals grow and achieve their goals.

Money: Paid mentorship-coaching programs are common, especially for leadership or personal development. In workplaces, this can be part of professional development, often covered by the company.

At PE: We build long-standing relationships with our people. You’re basically in the club for life. While most don’t take us up on this after the main program, the offer is always there. Since officially starting in 2020, we’ve kept the community going, offering career-long mentorship—and, in some cases – even what they call “friendship!” It’s more than just a short-term coaching relationship; it’s a lasting connection.

The Role of Money in These Learning Relationships:

• Free options: Often informal, less consistent, and depend on the availability of the individuals involved. However, they can foster genuine, deep connections and allow for flexibility.
• Paid services: More structured, consistent, and outcome-focused. Paid services, including coaching, workshops, and speaker sessions, bring accountability and expertise.
• Work-funded: These arrangements align with business needs and performance outcomes. The organization covers the cost, but the learning is still expected to enhance job performance or career progression.

Money generally affects the formality and consistency of the experience, with paid services offering more structure, while free or work-sponsored setups focus more on flexibility or business objectives.

So, what are we really doing at PE and via DFTW?

At the end of the day, these terms—mentor, coach, teacher, facilitator—can mean many different things to different people, each with their own connotations and assumptions. But if we had our way, we’d strip it all down and just call ourselves Designers.

You might be just starting your journey, or you might be someone with 20 years of experience—either way, we’re all here to share our love for learning, collaboration, and, ultimately, the craft of designing things that make a positive impact on the world. By creating a core curriculum, we’re designing a way to learn the craft of design itself. This shared base of knowledge and experience forms the foundation of what we do.

We’re designing designers—but that’s not always easy to explain. The word “designer” itself can feel loaded, layered with meaning.

Design is to design a design to produce a design

~ John Heskett in Design: A Very Short Introduction (2005)

The role of a designer goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about problem-solving, creativity, and impact.

If you’ve made it this far, maybe you’re ready to understand what it means to be a designer in our community. You’re a designer, even if you’re just starting out, and this space is here to guide and amplify your growth. This is more than just a course—it’s a community, a library of resources, workshops, and exercises that act as a force multiplier for your potential.

Welcome to the club. Let’s go.