As you take the first steps to working life, you need to think about what your passion is. What motivates you? Is it caring, or financial rewards? Getting swift results or building long-term relationships?
Consider your personality and skills and research which careers fit best. What lifestyle, salary and work/life balance would you like?
A mentor – someone who has already established their career – can help you find the answers to those questions and more.
Building a relationship
With a mentor, you’re getting someone who’s already walked the path you want to take. A supporter, who builds a relationship. You’ll meet regularly, and benefit from their guidance and encouragement to help you develop.
They encourage positive choices, promoting high-self esteem and introducing you to new ideas. When things are difficult, a mentor will encourage you to keep going and to find a way around obstacles.
Nearly 75% of adults who had a mentor say that person had a real impact on their success in life. Mentoring can boost not only your career prospects but your academic success and mental health too.
A good mentor will listen carefully, hear any worries and help you work out ways to overcome them.
Get inspired
George wants to show young people from pupil referral units can be successful. He is studying history and politics at Trinity College, Cambridge, after being mentored in a scheme run by charity Action 4 Youth.
Donna’s mentor helped her develop the confidence to set up her own café.
Finding a mentor
Your school, college or university may be able to put you in touch with a mentoring scheme. There are a host of organisations that offer support – these are just a few.
The YMCA runs mentoring schemes in places around the UK. Young people can get in touch directly with Y Mentoring and they accept referrals from schools, children’s services, community organisations, parents and carers.
The King’s Trust helps young people aged from 16 to 30 to build confidence, get into work or start their own businesses. The trust provides mentors as part of the business or education programmes.
One Million Mentors offers mentoring to 14 to 25 year olds. If you are under 18, contact them via enquiries@1mm.org.uk. If you are 18+, visit their website to find out more.
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