Well-designed mentorship programs are associated with several positive outcomes, including the following:
1. Mentored students are more likely to graduate high school
More than 1.2 million American teens drop out of high school every year. Some of the most common reasons for dropping out include poor attendance, low-grade averages, and disengagement. Students from economically disadvantaged households and minority backgrounds are at greater risk of dropping out.
Many of the risk factors that increase the likelihood of dropping out emerge in middle school. Poor academic performance in fifth grade is correlated with an increased risk of not earning a high school diploma.
Leaving school without a diploma has lifelong consequences. People without a high school diploma may have more difficulty finding work. Over their lifetime, they spend more periods unemployed and earn lower wages than their peers with a diploma.
Mentoring can counter many of the contributing factors of dropping out. Mentorship program evaluations found that mentees have fewer unexcused absences. This may be because young people in mentoring programs do better academically and have a stronger interest in school and their education.
Better attendance and a more positive attitude toward school increase the chances of graduating.
2. Mentored students are more likely to go to college
In addition to increasing high school graduation rates, mentorship programs contribute to college readiness and university admission rates.
Mentors can introduce their mentees to career paths that require a college education. Further, mentors can help young people increase their chances of acceptance by helping them with the application and financial aid processes.
Holding a college degree greatly increases earning potential. According to the Social Security Administration, a college degree holder out-earns an individual with a high school degree by up to $655,000 on average.
3. Mentored students have stronger peer and family relationships
Chaotic or dysfunctional social relationships are linked with behavioral difficulties in school. Young people with limited emotional regulation and social skills may engage in disruptive behaviors that can lead to disciplinary action.
Further, children who struggle socially have a more challenging time forming relationships with their peers. This can erode their self-esteem and reduce their interest in school.
Mentorships connect young people to adults who model socially positive behaviors. This relationship also helps them build important communication skills that can improve their ability to relate to other people.
After participating in a mentorship program, both mentees and their family members report stronger and healthier relationships, while mentees are better able to control their actions and show improved behavior in the home and school settings.
As an added benefit, mentees are more likely to have healthy and supportive relationships in adulthood.
4. Mentored students are much less likely to do drugs
Many of the risk factors that lead to young people leaving school early also contribute to risky behaviors.
Young people who are disengaged from school may make friends with other similar-minded teens and start to feel peer pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Poor self-esteem can also contribute to drug use.
Spending time with a mentor teaches young people important self-advocacy skills that buffer them against the temptation of underage drinking and drug use.
While mentorship lowers the likelihood of drug use in all demographics of young people, the most notable impact is among youth of color.
5. Mentored students are more likely to become mentors themselves
Mentoring helps young people develop soft skills that help them become leaders. As a result, many young people who benefited from mentorship go on to mentor young people in similar circumstances.
6. Mentors also benefit from mentorship programs
Young people are not the only ones who benefit from mentoring programs. Mentoring is deeply rewarding work and is associated with several notable benefits.
Mentors who go through training develop high-demand soft skills such as collaboration, empathy, and communication. Mentoring also provides an opportunity to network with other accomplished and caring professionals.
Many mentors report a sense of purpose and accomplishment for the positive impact they can make in a young person’s life.
Mentors also benefit from working closely with young people and having a better understanding of the younger generation. This can translate to other areas of their life, including their workplaces and their relationships with their younger family members.