Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
Many of you know that I used to advise a sorority chapter at American University. Since moving to Minnesota, I’ve been working with high school students through a Sunday school class. I don’t know why I love it, but working with those just a few years younger than me is always fulfilling. And then again, a little challenging.
Some lessons…
- There’s a lot to be said for small groups. Either through committee meetings or when only a couple students show up, I’ve learned to not think “Man, I wish more of them were here.” Instead it’s a great opportunity to do more meaningful connections. Then when there are larger groups, you’ve already been accepted by a number of the students.
- Someone has to be the grown-up, and it’s not them. While I’ve been asked to be involved because I was so close in age, the students would identify with me easier, it also blurs the line. You become friends and want to hang out, but then when something happens and you have to be an adult, you find it’s hard to step back over the line. I’m learning where the boundary is between close mentor and social friend.
- You can help them be individuals, even in a group. This is important at their ages, often trying to discover who they really are as they begin to come out from under parents’ wings. Spending time, talking, learning about interests, all of it allows them to continue to figure it out. And they love to see that you’re still figuring it out as well. They know they don’t have to have the answer right now, and it’s all part of the journey.
- You have to earn trust, but when you do, it’s amazing. There’s one student now who would do the polite smile, and that was it. I left the space (figurative and physical) between us wide because I knew that she was going to come to me when she was ready. Now we’re connecting, and I can’t wait to see the amazing things she’s going to do. I’ve gotten to see her heart and even as a high schooler, it’s still so whole. Not broken. It’s enlightening.
- You can’t worry if they will remember you. They may not think of you every day, but they’ll remember you. I still get notes and emails from my students a couple years ago, and thanks to social media, we can stay connected no matter where we go. You may have only impacted their lives for a short time, but you’re remembered. Just like you remember those who worked with you while you were a student.
- Every encounter with them is a fresh start. You can’t bring your own baggage to these students. It’s not their fault that you have financial or job troubles, that a boy broke up with you, or you have family stress. It’s a time for you to begin as a neutral source, allowing them to be the ones to pull your experiences so they can learn.
Even if you are still fresh from school (high school, college, graduate), take an opportunity to explore what working with students is like. You might not only learn about them, but learn about yourself.
What other lessons have you learned from teaching or mentoring? What are some challenges you’ve overcome? What are your favorite teaching experiences?
Photo from clipart.
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
Comments
01.28.10
Working with current college and university students, and recent grads, is a huge part of my job and I LOVE IT.
Although I'm just out of university myself (Class of '09), it can sometimes feel so far away, so working with students and other recent grads is a great way to feel rejuvenated about the possibilities life and our career paths have to offer.
There is so much potential, creativity and innovation to be found in groups of young people working toward a common goal. While older people might have experience and wisdom to back them up, I just find people around my age, give or take 5 years, to be much more on the ball and productive.
01.28.10
Cassandra, I love that you brought up rejuvenation! It's true, you feel energized working with these young people. Also, it's a great reminder to take away your own jaded view about the world. They still believe in dreams and accomplishing goals. Even if you are thinking that you still have the world at your fingertips, you know that there have been challenges. Thanks for commenting!
01.28.10
So I think in one way or another I've been trying my whole life to mentor others, but haven't ever been able to have such a gratifying experience as yours seems to be. People tend to just want my money, not my support. How have you gone about finding opportunities to teach/mentor? Or were you approached for these opportunities?
01.28.10
Carlee, I started tutoring during lunch in high school. That was my first real mentoring gig, and I only got started doing that because I didn't want to sit by myself at lunch (I was the only junior/senior in my group with a lunch because I took a full load). When I went to college, I started working with a day care, and while not really mentoring, it's when I found I needed something outside of my normal day-to-day routine that included other people. Since then, it's been through my sorority alumni group. And even if you didn't do the sorority thing, any kind of school you think of has a mentoring program. Also, even though I am going through a crisis of faith, Sunday school seemed a good fit. The high schoolers are at an age where they don't want the God talk, they want the Life talk. And I learn from them everyday.
The only warning I would give is that you want to find a program where you don't feel pressured to deliver at a higher level than you can commit. Also, look for ones that come with some kind of training. Thanks!
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
 |
|
|
 |
