Ten Things You Should Know About Becoming a Mentor
1. You can do it. Most kids love to talk about themselves and are thrilled when adults give them their full attention. You might be surprised to hear what they want to be when they grow up.
2. You can provide mentoring through a volunteer program such as those sponsored by the National Mentoring Partnership, Read Aloud America, America’s Promise, and the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation. They welcome individual, community and corporate participation.
3. You can also mentor a child more informally any time, anywhere throughout the year: during a meal, while doing chores around the house, during TV commercials or on the way home from soccer practice. Simple questions such as “Who do you think designs soccer equipment?” and “I wonder who wrote the jingle for that commercial?” can lead to conversations about diverse career choices.
4. One-on-one conversations can uncover important clues about what will motivate a child in life and in school. Listen carefully and tie that clue to a school subject, an exploratory field trip or an informational interview with someone who works in that field.
5. You can elicit important information through shared creative activities too: reading aloud, singing, dancing, painting, exercising, visiting museums, and going to movies. The key is to hone in on what makes a child glow with enjoyment, curiosity or a sense of achievement and to help them apply that to their school work and life skills development.
6. You don’t need to preach or judge. Only encourage, nurture and appreciate. Think back to what it meant to you to have an adult care about your thoughts, dreams and opinions. That’s where strong self-esteem starts and self doubt ends.
7. If you don’t know the answers to a child’s questions, find them together. Knowing how and where to find answers is a fabulous life skill in and of itself. Visit libraries and museums, go on field trips, source varied reference materials, interview experts – show kids how rewarding it is to explore the world around them. Along the way, they will become more comfortable with finding their place in it.
8. You have a lot of wisdom to share about your work, education, career path and professional experience. Share how you have learned –or are still learning- to deal with challenges and opportunities along the way. Use all of it as your mentoring curriculum. It’s good stuff!
9. Sharing stories or regrets about the good, the bad, and yes, the stupid decisions you have made will help a child feel more at ease and less anxious about his or her own decisions. Kids appreciate honesty. (And they can spot a poser a mile away.)
10. STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and math) are hot topics in the news, as they should be. But not everyone is cut out for them. Help kids understand that thousands of jobs make the world go ‘round. We need the professionals who collect our trash and repair our cars as much as we need software engineers and biologists. Instill a respect for all professionals and what they contribute to our working world.
CareerWise by Tailwag Studio publishes creative kids-to-career resources for use at home, in the classroom or in youth mentoring programs. No special training is required, so anyone can help mentor kids so they can have brighter futures. www.GetCareerWise.com
CareerWise by Tailwag Studio publishes creative kids-to-career resources for use at home, in the classroom, by counselors, or in youth mentoring programs. No special training is required– anyone can help mentor kids so they have brighter futures. www.GetCareerWise.com
What are soft skills & are they hard to teach kids?
What are soft skills? In the employment world, they refer to skills professionals use throughout their career lives to help them: get and keep jobs (and maybe even promotions); perform job responsibilities successfully; move ever forward toward career goals; and, refrain from stapling bosses, colleagues and clients to their chairs when the going gets tough on the job!
In other words, they are the life skills that help all of us — albeit some better than others — navigate through a crowded world with confidence, grace and the respect of others.
When is it too soon to start helping kids develop and understand the importance of soft skills? Never.
Just stay age appropriate and recognize when a wonderful trait shows up in everyday life.
(A side benefit of this practice is that you will be strengthening your soft and mentoring skills along the way.)
Here are some soft skills frequently referenced by HR professionals and some ideas for making them relevant to kids.
1. Strong Work Ethic
“You have been working on that history project all weekend and your effort really shows. I’m proud of your focus and commitment to doing a good job.”
2. Positive Attitude
“I know you’re very disappointed that we can’t afford that new video game right now. I really appreciate and admire how maturely you’re reacting to our family budgeting situation.”
3. Good Communication Skills
“When I ask ‘how was school today,’ I’d really appreciate more than a mumbled ‘ok.’ Please share something special you did or learned. I really enjoy how you describe things.”
4. Time Management Abilities
“You haven’t been late for the bus once this week, and you made your bed every morning. Bravo!”
5. Problem-Solving Skills
“Figuring out how to fix your grandmother’s computer took a lot of patience and resourcefulness. I’m really proud of you.”
6. Acting as a Team Player
“I saw you pitch in to help the coach put away the equipment without being asked after practice. I’m sure he really appreciated that.”
7. Self-Confidence
“You are so good at ____________. Every time I see you do that, I’m in awe of how easily it comes to you. You are very talented.’
8. Ability to Accept and Learn From Criticism
“It’s hard for anyone to hear negative feedback, but you seem to be learning to keep it in perspective. I know you realize it’s meant to be helpful, not hurtful. That’s something I need to work on myself.”
9. Flexibility/Adaptability
“I appreciate how flexible you were with your plans today. I hated to ask you to baby-sit a little longer, but it helped me with my job. You’re such a help to the family!”
10. Working Well Under Pressure
“You had exams all week and yet you never once were in a bad mood with any of us. I wish you’d teach me how to calm and focused when I have a lot going on.”
Soft skills aren’t hard to learn or teach. Sometimes taking the time to acknowledge them is. Hmmmm…maybe that’s another skill to add to the list!
