Doing what you love, and loving what you do are not always the same. Planning for your career takes lots of work and thought. Recently, my daughters were working on their class schedules for next year. They were trying to make the best decision and pick the most sensible courses to help with their future career options.
As I tried to assist them, I could not help thinking back to when I was in school and not really having at that time the best plan of action for the future. It became very important that I impart my lessons learned from over the years to help them not go down a path that would quickly take on many detours and possible dead ends. Although my plan was not well thought out, I am thankful that I had mentors in my life that helped me along the way. I am also thankful for receiving a college scholarship that allowed me to attend and graduate from a 4 year university. It was definitely not by happenstance. It was again because I had mentors and family members pushing me to pursue opportunities for my life to come.
Whether it’s your child, the kid down the street, or a relative, impart lessons learned from your own personal life to help them to be more successful. Be a mentor; it will definitely help to grow our teens, community, and our level of economic stability.
So what is real mentoring? It is a one-to-one supportive relationship between students and adults, where the adult strives to help achieve and increase success in the life of the student mentored.
Mentoring is not easy. It takes work and dedication on both sides. True mentors do the research and really want to share what they know to help students gain an edge for the future. High school is a tough time for students, and having someone to coach and guide them during this time is often needed, (but not necessarily acknowledged) by our youth. They are in a transition period, moving from children to adults, and this process can be very difficult when you don’t have a plan. Becoming a mentor takes a strong commitment, but it is definitely needed to positively impact our next generation for future success.
As a Mentor you should:
1. Know that only 1 in 3 children grow up with a mentor/coach, leaving many with no one to turn to
2. Provide teens advice, but don’t be pushy or overbearing (Bite size messages are better)
3. Be truthful and trustworthy
4. Hold each other accountable
5. Assist them with Personality and Career Assessments; Offer sound advice
Young adults who face an opportunity gap but have a mentor are 55% more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor. (The Mentoring Effect)
