mentoring
what do you mentor when parents want the student to go studie at a college rather than a technical school.
Heather,
Thanks for this post. Sometimes we have to help students remember why they have chosen this path as well as the rewards of finishing the journey.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I discuss with my students why they have chosen this career path. If they are passionate in giving me their answer, and sure of themselves, I praise their enthusiasim and reasure them that they have a good support system among their teachers and staff. If the student lacks confidence and seems concerned about the lack of family support, I ask prompting questions to get them to realize the reason they made this decision in the first place. If I can get the student to talk about their career choice and get them excited , they start seeing that we are excited for them and will fill in the gap between them and home. I remind my students that if they are excited and do well , and take home a positive attitude, most families will see that the student has made the right choice and come around as a support system.
Thanks for this post Scott. No school is the right place for everyone, but career colleges offer a lot of good things to students not well served in universities.
Jeffrey Schillinger
A mentor is a life coach. I believe that technical schools may actually do a better job of teaching their students these important professionalism skills that will make them successful in keeping a job and making better life choices. I would inform the parents to encourage their child to attend college after completing the technical school so that the student had a skill set that could pay his or her own way through school.
A mentor is a life coach. I believe that technical schools may actually do a better job of teaching their students these important professionalism skills that will make them successful in keeping a job and making better life choices. I would inform the parents to encourage their child to attend college after completing the technical school so that the student had a skill set that could pay his or her own way through school.
Encourage the student to research their career choice They will soon feel good about the change they can make in this world.
You are so right as to a retention concern. If they do not or can not believe you, then why shhould they be around listening to you as you lecture or explain? It would lead to feeling that they are not getting 100% of what they think they should.
Julie,
I agree with being straightforward and honest with students as well. This can show them what we have been through and what they can expect when they graduate as well. If you are not straightforward and honest with the students they will not believe everything you tell, them and this could lead to a retention concern.
I agree with being straight forward and honest wtih students. It shows them we too are human and have lifes obstacles that get in the way, but this shouldnt be a reason for not believing in ourselves and succeding our goals!
Thank you, Brian.
What are some specific things you do to show this type of respect to your students?
One way of mentoring with out trying is to respect our students as people and show them that they are not beneath use due to there education level.
Daniel,
These are all good traits for a mentor. What are some specific ways you display, or one of your mentors has displayed, thise traits so that students look to you as a mentor?
I feel the best way to be a mentor is to be honests . straight forward .and avialable.
Nice post, Marie. Thank you for sharing.
Fostering self-efficacy is essential. Students define their lives as they enter adulthood, and it is difficult for parents to let go. There are many paths to the same destination. It is a transitional time and the students may feel that it is difficult to feel confident in their choices or decisions. Encourage the student to research their career choice. They can write out pros and cons. As they develop their own path their self confidence will grow and so will self-efficacy. They will soon feel good about the change they can make in this world.
Good question!
I think it is important to try to give the student dealing with a lack of familiar support over his education path tools to demonstrate the success he will have as well as the success others have had by completing the path the student has now chosen. Share success stories and be sure the student has some tangible successes to share with his family.
