I have had the pleasure of speaking to and mentoring students from grade school to college age, as well as young professionals living in different parts of the United States and the world. Each time my interactions leave me reassured that the world is not only in good hands but will do better under their guidance.
Oh, you say, what about all the news articles citing mental health issues and addiction to social media with its disinformation? What about drug use? Riots and social upheaval? Yes, those and many other problems must be addressed. What gives me reassurance? My personal experiences. Here are some examples of ways to engage with Gen Z – those born between 1997 and 2012.
Junior Achievement
My first experience with mentoring was through Junior Achievement. For those of you not familiar with this program, Junior Achievement uses hands-on programs both in a school classroom and in onsite facilities to teach “market-based economics and entrepreneurship.”
In Illinois, I worked with a group of students to select a product, then manufacture, market, and sell it. Each student had a major role in the company and regular financial reports were required. My JA company sold Chex-Mix. The high school students I worked with were excited, eager to learn, creative, and respectful.
After I moved to Arizona, I volunteered with JA in their facility where a mini town was set up, complete with radio station, grocery store, bank, insurance company, travel agent, utility company, etc., along with a mayor and city officials.
Fifth-grade students spent a day in Biz Town after classroom preparation. The excited students arrived with their JA checkbooks and assignments and had such fun running his/her store and spending their JA paychecks. Oh, the companies had to pay regular bills, so it was possible to run a deficit. Great learning experiences!
UNCW
When I lived in Wilmington, North Carolina I had the opportunity to get involved with several programs on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus. One was a mentoring program for women. I was assigned a young girl from Tanzania whose intention was to attend law school as had an older sister.
Although very shy at first, I got to know her as we enjoyed time together on campus, in the community, and in my home. This young lady opened my eyes to a different part of our world and the additional struggles a young girl from Africa must overcome to survive and thrive. Her confidence and determination inspired me.
The business school at UNCW also had a mentoring program for its senior students. Matches were made with volunteers from the business community. I had my own financial planning firm at the time and was matched with two students.
I invited each to spend a day with me in my office and demonstrated my planning process – how I gathered information, used software to help me analyze it, researched to fill in gaps or gather options, made recommendations, and developed a presentation. Both students were guests in my home, and I am still in contact with one who selected a career in the financial world.
Rotary
When I lived in Wilmington, I was a Rotary International member. The mission of Rotary is: “to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.”
My Rotary group took part in an international program to bring young professionals from other countries to the United States to spend time with someone with a similar career. Although I was not matched as a financial planner, a young lady from Bolivia stayed in my home.
She was doing research on a disease common in her country that is carried by insects. She was matched with a local pharmacist as I recall. I am still in touch with her via Facebook and our friendship inspired me to learn more about Bolivia. Growth and learning and understanding go both ways!
World Academy for the Future of Women
I found out about this group through a friend. It was founded by an incredible woman in Arizona to “advance and accelerate women’s leadership worldwide.” At the time I went through their facilitator training, the programs of the Academy were only available in China. Now they are engaged with Mexico, India, Uganda, and Kenya, and look forward to adding other countries. The organization now has Consultancy Status with the United Nations.
In China, the Academy is located on the campus of SIAS International University in Xinzhen, China (Henan Province). Volunteers with the Academy teach classes on various topics over a 5-week period. They live and eat on campus.
Because volunteers are responsible for their own airfare and incidentals, I was not able to complete a volunteer stint. However, I mentored two Chinese students via email and Facetime. What incredible young ladies! They are so anxious to learn about the world, and develop leadership skills to discover “their passion, purpose and path to success.”
Luther College
More recently, I spent a couple of hours with a group of students at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa to talk about the basics of investing. My presentation was not required and yet almost all who were a part of the sponsoring campus program attended. Their questions showed that they listened, understood, and wanted to learn as much as possible. They took full advantage of the opportunity!
These are just a few of my experiences. There are so many ways that a person, whether a professional or a retiree, can find to interact with Gen Z. The opportunities might be related to your passion, or they might be more general in nature. If you are a member of a service organization, start your research there.
Many colleges and universities welcome volunteers and even sponsor programs for their students to interact with the community. If you are interested in travel or want to learn more about the world, focus your research on international programs.
What impressed me most about my volunteer interactions? The attitudes of the students! In each case the young people involved were excited, they wanted to learn and to be better world citizens. They were eager to undertake new experiences and find solutions to problems. They asked great questions that challenged me to give answers that would encourage them to ask more questions. They were determined to succeed and were not deterred by roadblocks.
If you want reassurance about the world’s future, look for programs and opportunities to interact with Gen Z. If your experience is like mine, you will benefit as much as those being served! You can also ask yourself these 6 questions before you decide volunteering is for you.
Reader Questions:
Have you ever been a mentor? If so, what was your experience? Did you come away excited about the future or worried? Why?
