Mediators are individuals who help opposing parties solve conflicts and ensure that discussions are productive and respectful. If you have a passion for negotiating conflicts and facilitating communication, you might find working as a mediator rewarding. In this article, we discuss what a mediator does and the steps you can take to begin your career in the field of mediation

What is a professional mediator?

A mediator facilitates dialogue and assists with negotiations between parties engaged in disputes. Mediators specialize in clear communication and conflict resolution, and they guide groups through the agreement process and teach them how to independently reach solutions. Although they have advanced knowledge of laws and regulations related to disputes, these professionals work outside of the court system.

Mediators often have the following daily responsibilities:

• Arrange meetings for two or more parties to discuss an issue.
• Interview witnesses and others involved to gather information.
• Assess documentation to collect data.
• Advise on relevant laws and regulations.
• Guide conversations toward mutually agreeable conclusions.
• Draft non-binding agreements.

How to become a mediator

To pursue a mediator career, you need relevant and comprehensive education, work experience in your focus area, mediation training and other specialized qualifications. Here are seven steps to consider to become a mediator:

1. Decide on a professional specialty.
2. Earn a relevant undergraduate degree.
3. Gain relevant work experience.
4. Improve essential soft skills.
5. Complete mediation training.
6. Get certified in mediation.

1. Decide on a professional specialty

Mediators can specialize in conflict management for particular industries for which they gain expert knowledge to help parties negotiate successfully. When considering a career in mediation, research the various specialties available, and select one that appeals to your career goals or personal interests. You can focus on areas such as:

• Amateur or professional sports
• Environmental concerns
• Financial services
• Real estate
• Healthcare
• Intellectual property
• Media and communications
• Public policy

Read more: Guide: How to Choose a Career

2. Earn a relevant undergraduate degree

Many mediator positions require a bachelor’s degree. When deciding which undergraduate degree to pursue, consider your intended area of specialty. Some of the most common bachelor’s degrees mediators pursue include:

Business

This degree can provide you a foundation in business principles and practical applications of communication theories in the workplace. These aspects can prepare you for general mediation roles or those in the corporate sector.

Finance

This degree program can provide you a more comprehensive foundation in financial principles, risk management and potential conflicts around money. You can use this information to prepare you for mediations in the banking industry or financial departments in other professional areas.

Communications

This type of degree often includes observing communication with a focus on the diversity of individuals, settings and topics. You may form a foundation of basic communication theories and practical techniques that can help you navigate conflicts as a mediator in many fields.

3. Gain relevant work experience

Once you have earned a bachelor’s degree, make a plan to gain work experience in your specialty. Most mediators have several years of experience working in a variety of roles in their professional field. Some work for two or more decades and advance to the top of their field before using their industry knowledge for mediation. Whether mediation is your primary career goal or the outcome of a career change, you should be an expert in your field before focusing on conflict resolution.

To begin your career as a mediator, you can select an entry-level role in your industry and then advance through a series of positions that allow you to gain more work experience as well as leadership responsibilities. For example, if you opt to mediate financial matters, you can consider the following career paths:

Financial analyst

National average salary:  $67,000 per year

Primary duties: These individuals analyze, monitor and recommend investments to their clients. As entry-level finance professionals, they take responsibility for reviewing financial statements, tracking market trends and forecasting investment performance.

Finance manager

National average salary:  $86,000 per year

Primary duties: These professionals manage financial reporting for organizations, and they devise long-term investment strategies. As mid-level managers, they also advise executives about financial opportunities and guide investment decisions.

Chief financial officer

National average salary:  $125,000 per year

Primary duties: These experts oversee a company’s financial processes. As executives, they analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the organization’s finances and implement improvements when necessary.

4. Improve essential soft skills

As you gain work experience, strive to improve the soft skills that mediators use regularly. You can take steps to advance many of these skills in the workplace:

Negotiation skills

Mediators are experts at communicating their arguments verbally. To improve your skills in this area, practice constructing arguments by presenting objective information, listening to the opposing perspective and addressing concerns with additional facts and data.

Written communication skills

As a mediator, you must also know how to communicate clearly in writing since you are likely to correspond with clients by email and prepare written agreements. To advance your skills, practice communicating your thoughts, recommendations or requirements in a straightforward manner and proofreading thoroughly.

Active listening skills

Professional mediators must excel at listening actively, which is critical to the negotiation process. To increase your active listening skills, practice repeating back the key points you heard, waiting until the other person completes a thought before interjecting and asking follow-up questions.

Critical thinking skills

As a mediator, you take responsibility for analyzing both sides of the dispute, asking clarifying questions and guiding both parties toward a resolution. To improve your critical thinking skills, practice empathizing with different perspectives and anticipating potential outcomes.

Decision-making skills

Mediators need strong decision-making skills to guide agreements in a productive direction. To improve your capacity for decision-making, practice researching issues you may help negotiate and drawing conclusions from cost-benefit analyses.

Read more: Conflict Resolution Skills: Definition and Examples

5. Complete mediation training

Once you have several years of experience in your field and you have mastered the required soft skills for mediators, you can start training with an expert before seeking mediation work. Aspiring mediators typically train with an experienced professional in their field for up to a year before pursuing independent work. During this training period, you can expect to learn the mediation process, assist with cases and understand how to resolve disputes successfully.

Depending on your field of expertise and your location, you might have access to a variety of training options. Associations like the National Conflict Resolution Center and the Mediation Training Institute offer private training programs that you can join by registering and paying any applicable fees. You can also pursue a private program with an independent mediator or a general program with a community organization.

6. Get certified in mediation

In addition to education, experience and training, you may also need a certification to practice mediation. Each state has its own standards, which range from earning a bachelor’s degree to completing a specialized certification. Check the certification requirements in your state to confirm whether you may need to accomplish one or more of the following to become certified:

• Pursue a specific degree. Some states may require a master’s degree or an equivalent amount of work experience in their area of specialty. Some states may require a Ph.D. or Juris Doctor degree to work as a mediator.
  
• Complete a state-approved training program. Certain programs include state-required elements including hands-on experience as well as mentorship and observation hours. 
  
• Participate in mediations. Select states require mediators to join a certain number of conflict resolution sessions to gain interactive experience if you do not have to complete a full training program.
  
• Earn points. A few states award points to aspiring mediators based on their education level, work experience and training. After receiving a predetermined number of points, mediators can work independently.