In a message dated 97-05-15 03:26:44 EDT, you write:

<< I'm sure there are others like me who would want to make
 sure the mentor got something out of it, too.  But it occurs to me that my
 pediatrician has students with him all the time.  He's on staff at a
 teaching hospital, but don't physicians mentor students to some degree-
 with no expectation of compensation?  Or am I wrong?  What are the patterns
 in other professions? >>

Tricia,
The student is paying for training in the form of tuition at the
school/university that he/she attends.    As you said, your pediatrician is
on staff and has a very definite arrangement with the school and he DOES has
benefits.  Most doctors have privileges at specific hospitals, and
arrangements with schools that affiliate with them.  In order to have the
"privilege" to admit patients to that hospital --  where by the way the
doctor makes a LOT of money for visiting and treating patients,  the doctor
has certain responsibilies.  He has to serve on committees, rotate through
other responsibilities for the hospital and school, and probably may fullfill
some of his obligations by training students.
In my case, I am not affiliated with a hospital or LC school.   I do not
receive any compensation for training a wannabe LC nor have any recipricol
arrangements that benefit me financially or professionally.  The "students"
that want to learn from me want me to train them for free.  I also have no
assurance of what amount of education or preparation the student LC will come
with, (from zero to very experienced)  so my training has to be very flexible
and individualized.

I want to provide traineeships for budding LCs, and I have always loved
teaching, but it takes a lot of time and energy.  Others who have done it
will tell you that it actually cuts what you can get done dramatically when
you have a student simply "shadowing" you.  If you want to provide more, a
real structured program assuring competency in certain skills, that takes
even more time.  I know of LC trainee programs that have had to stop for a
while because it is so stressfu to the staff.
Your doctor may or may  not get an actual check for training students, but he
does reap lots benefits within his profession and his business.  We deserve
the same for our time and efforts.  When actual schools for LCs become common
then the affiliations and reciprocal arrangements may make it adventageous
for experienced LCs to do this without direct payment from the trainee.  I
could forsee being paid throught the school for this type of training though.
Jane Bradshaw RN, BSN, IBCLC
Lynchburg, VA