Mentoring Named Strategy to Prepare Youth for the Future

Two new briefings from Child Trends cite mentoring as a strategy in preparing young people to make a successful transition into adulthood and in preparing young people to succeed in the workplace.

Both briefings are from the larger report titled A Developmental Perspective on College and Workplace Readiness by Laura Lippman, Astrid Atienza, Andrew Rivers, and Julie Keith. The report received support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and draws on research across the fields of college readiness, workplace readiness, and youth development to identify the skills and competencies high school students need to master for future success.

To become successful adults, one brief identifies strategies high schools can use to foster skills not covered in the curriculum - skills such as problem-solving and a strong work ethic. In working with special populations of children, mentoring appears as a particularly effective way to help low-income and minority youth: "Mentoring programs may increase academic motivation and school attendance and reduce problem behavior, as well as encourage students to consider postsecondary educational opportunities."

In the briefing on how high schools can help students develop skills to succeed in the workplace, mentoring is an option that increases support for young people: "Pair students with mentors to help develop interpersonal skills and identify career interests and opportunities. Mentors can help foster leadership, communication, and social skills."

For the full report, go to www.childtrends.org , and to download the briefings, go to www.mentoring.org/news/120 .

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Mentoring Named Strategy to Prepare Youth for the Future