5 Reasons Why Mentoring is Beneficial for Teens and Their Mentors

I am a true believer that entrepreneurs have the power to change the world through the actions, products and services they create.

When relocating to America more than three years ago, we were so excited that our son was accepted at Aspen Academy. This is a school like no other! Every day the kids start their routine with business, leadership and finance discussions which no other school in the USA does. Every grade builds a product that they sell at the end of the year and every 8th grader has to do a business plan and launch a real product or service for their Shark Tank youth business plan competition each spring. I am amazed at the quality of the businesses this year from the 8th graders.

I am honored to have been asked to be a mentor for the last three years. This year, my mentee, Maddie, made personalized greeting cards for her business, Hello Colorful. She is a rockstar (please support her on Instagram where you will see her full range of greeting cards and some fab deals as well - https://www.instagram.com/hello_colorful_/ ). In addition to the pride of witnessing Maddie earn a spot on the big stage for  the final round of the Shark Tank, there are tremendous -- and reciprocal -- benefits to mentoring teens.

5 Benefits of Mentoring a Teen

As a mentor, I personally witnessed a number of benefits to not only my mentee, but other 8th grade students, and myself. For the sake of a shorter read (for those of you reading this, I’m guessing you’re already convinced), I’ll limit myself to these five:

1. Mentoring builds self-confidence: Mentoring can help individuals develop increased self-confidence, which can contribute to their personal and professional growth^[1]. Mentors bring fresh perspectives and diverse viewpoints, which can broaden the mentee's thinking and challenge their assumptions, in a healthy way, from a trusted adult who is fighting for their success. The way I’ve seen these students grow and lead in the past few years is remarkable. They come to life as polished presenters and pitchmen. Watch a bit of the finals for yourself. Could you have done this as a 14 year old?
2. Mentoring supports goal achievement: Mentors can provide guidance and encouragement, making the mentee less likely to give up on their goals^[2]. Who doesn’t love a good accountability partner? When we need a boost, it’s helpful to have a support system which includes a mentor. Mentoring allows individuals to learn from the experience and wisdom of someone who has already traveled a similar path, helping them avoid common pitfalls and make more informed decisions.
3. Mentoring expands professional networks: Mentors can help mentees build their professional network by introducing them to new connections and opportunities^[3]. I have loved opportunities to share Maddie’s business with my network and grown their anticipation and excitement about the upcoming generation in the workforce. Seeing what these 14 year olds create lifts all of us and creates confidence for the future. Mentors can provide valuable insights and expertise in specific areas, helping mentees expand their knowledge and develop new skills.
4. Mentoring fosters personal growth: Mentorship can be a transformational relationship that offers growth opportunities for both the mentee and the mentor^[4]. I’m hopeful that each of my mentees will stay in touch with me and continue to leverage my skills. I anticipate remaining in contact with them to foster my own continuous improvement and understanding of market and generational trends -- a necessity for anyone in branding! By receiving guidance and advice from a mentor, individuals can fast-track their development and progress towards their goals more quickly and effectively.
5. Mentoring enhances satisfaction and joy: A mentor can offer emotional support, guidance, and encouragement during exciting and challenging times. Mentoring others can lead to feelings of fulfillment, satisfaction, and happiness, contributing to overall well-being^[5]. Not just for me, but for other parents in the room. The amount of pride we each have in these students is palpable and creates joy and connection with the students and their parents, bringing our community together.

We would have a very different world if more schools adopted the same thing as Aspen Academy -- and future generations would become adept in entrepreneurial skills. With deep roots in being kind and making the world a better place, this entrepreneurial focused school is what we need more of.

Learn more about the 8th Grade businesses at Aspen Academy here

Sources:

• BetterUp - The benefits of mentorship for your professional development
• Indeed - 24 Reasons Why Mentorship Is Important for Mentee and Mentor
• Indeed - 24 Reasons Why Mentorship Is Important for Mentee and Mentor
• Harvard Business Review - The Best Mentorships Help Both People Grow
• Psychology Today - The 10 Benefits of Mentoring Others