If you like working through conflict, helping people address their problems, and promoting communication, you might enjoy a career as a mediator. Many mediators have a law background, but others come from medical, life coaching or religious fields. All mediators need good listening skills and patients. In Texas, mediators must attend a 40-hour training program before they can begin practicing. Texas does not impose education prerequisites on mediator trainees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the job outlook for mediators is good and that most mediators make a salary of $50,000 to $55,000 per year.
Locate training programs in your area by reviewing the list posted by the Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable (see Resources). All programs listed by Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable have high standards and will teach you the skills you need to be a mediator.
Contact organizations near you to ask about upcoming training dates. If an organization does not have anything in the next three months, ask for a recommendation of another mediation training program. Ask for references of past participants.
Call the references to check on how participants feel about the training program. Ask these references what area of mediation they practice, whether they received additional training elsewhere, how successful their practice is and whether they recommend the training program.
Sign up for mediation training when you've found a program that's offering classes and has positive references.
Attend your 40-hour mediation training program. If you're interested in practicing parent-child mediation (typically divorce cases), MediationADR.net notes you'll need an additional 24 hours of training.
Obtain a program certificate upon completion of your training. Texas does not certify or license mediators (as of 2010), so you'll want the certificate to prove you're qualified.
Begin practicing as a mediator. You can identify volunteer mediator opportunities to get some hands-on practice, or begin your mediator business right away. Your mediation trainer will be able to connect you with organizations near you that need volunteer mediators.
