Generation to Generation Mentoring Program

    Excitement is growing as Generation to Generation is focusing on mentoring, a project that closely aligns with the G2G byline: “At the end of the day, what I cherish most are the human relationships,” here between students and older people already established in target vocations.

    The goal is to establish channels of exchange between the people active in the practical “real world of work” and teenagers in their early considerations of how to make a success of their lives in the world.  Books often fall short of the dynamic experience of a student, for example, shadowing a restaurant owner dealing with problems in the kitchen, with the service staff, with customers, and the challenges of management, long term planning, and public relations.

    The same is true for auto mechanics, pastors of churches, architects, dentists, doctors, social workers, and school teachers.  G2G can identify people engaged in the students’ target vocations willing to share their insights and understandings with students wanting to see the real world dimensions of various fields, better to evaluate their suitability for the fields that seem to be a good match for them, and then to make appropriate adjustments in their studies to optimize the fit for the long term.  Mutually beneficial paid and/or volunteer internships are also a possibility along with lifetime friendships.

    Last year, we developed an interface with the Career Development Department at Misericordia University matching students with professionals in various fields.  This year, we are turning to Dallas High School’s Guidance Counseling staff similarly to match students with people who have vacations of interest to the students ranging from car mechanics, contractors, and social workers to white color professionals such as teachers, bankers, architects, doctors, and nurses.

    Robyn Jones of the High School Guidance staff has already met with the G2G Board and voiced enthusiastic support for the idea and will be meeting again with the Board along with the School Superintendent to work out the details with the program to begin in early 2012.