MESSAGE TO MENTORS

Technological advancements have made many jobs completely replaceable. How will students/mentees adapt to these rapid changes, which will likely become even more complex in the future? Our answer is: “Expect a lifetime of learning new skills and acquiring updated knowledge continuously.”

Young people need to make choices based on their desires and strengths, while also ensuring they don’t close too many career doors too early.

Instead of preparing for a “Career for life”, we must prepare youth for “A Lifetime of Careers”. The old adage of “A trade for nine years is better than nine trades” seems increasingly irrelevant.

Rather than aiming for longevity in a single occupation, today’s youth must embrace adaptability, flexibility and lifelong learning across multiple professions. The future belongs to versatile workers with a growth mindset, ready to evolve their skill sets continuously. Mentors play a vital role in guiding students towards this modern outlook.

 

“We must be patient. It takes only ten years to grow trees, but it can take a hundred years to raise people.”

– MR. KIEN PHAM –

MENTORING SKILLS

Mentor Mindset

Come to mentoring with the mindset of being a FRIEND to the mentee, seeking learning opportunities from them. Do NOT think of yourself as the GIVER, the TEACHER of the mentee.

Listen

Accept the mentee’s perspective, then provide information through stories or suggestions.

Ask open-ended questions

Open-ended questions provide benefits of helping the mentees gain more understanding, expand options, and increase satisfaction.

Build rapport

Develop rapport with the mentees so they share real issues: Learn about the mentee’s circumstances, other relationships, etc.

Create opportunities for the mentees

Proactively ask the mentees about needs for cross-mentoring or other topics of interest. The mentor can introduce friends, other senior mentors to join a mentoring session, so mentees gain new perspectives and networking. If the mentor cannot find suitable people, contact the organizing team.

Discussion topics

LONG-TERM CONTENT

a. Desired job after graduation:

  • Discuss and ask mentees to think about and set direction as early as possible.
  • In cases where mentees have multiple options, mentors provide additional information on required skills, expertise, etc. for each job so mentees can continue to think through and make a final choice.
  • Encourage mentees to look for internship opportunities related to their desired career as early as possible, even in their freshman year. If needed, can post on the mentors group for other mentors to assist with recommending suitable internships.

b. Physical health:

  • Mentors should encourage mentees to choose a sport (running, yoga, badminton, soccer, etc.) based on interest and condition to practice daily, maintain health for success.
  • Update on health regimen at each meeting.
  • Encourage them to maintain this habit long-term.

c. Positive thinking:

  • Always think positively about people and things around you.
  • Take responsibility, admit mistakes when encountering problems.
  • Don’t let emotions affect work, focus on finding solutions to resolve work issues/conflicts.
SHORT-TERM CONTENT

a. Communication skills.

b. Email and CV writing skills.

c. Building and maintaining positive relationships.

d. Leadership and teamwork skills.

e. English (foreign language) learning skills.

f. Problem-solving and decision-making skills.

DESIRED OUTCOMES

Gain self-awareness and apply self-management skills to achieve a happy and successful life
  • Identify career interests, skills, work values, and life goals.
  • Apply personal interests, abilities and values in planning and making decisions about education and career choices.
  • Understand the gap between current reality and future aspirations, and TAKE ACTION to close that gap.
  • Develop goals for the desired educational and career path.
Act with integrity and make responsible decisions that uphold your values
  • Understand the career planning process and apply decision-making skills to educational and career planning.
  • Identify short-term and long-term education and career goals.
  • Evaluate the impact and consequences of your decisions on yourself and others.
Be resilient and turn challenges into opportunities
  • Value the need for continuous improvement and lifelong learning in your own efforts to achieve education and career goals.
  • Apply FLEXIBILITY and LEVERAGE all available resources to move yourself closer to your education and career goals.
Confidence

– Develop SELF-CONFIDENCE in your own ability to pursue life goals.