The connections forged between Kollab Youth participants and volunteers are pivotal to the program's triumph and the growth of its members. Conversations with both students and mentors have revealed that each side departs with enduring memories, profound insights, and meaningful effects. Frequently, the timeless adage of "the student becoming the teacher" materializes, as mentors glean valuable wisdom from their interactions with mentees.
At 29 years old, first-time mentor Gina Ender wasn’t sure if she had enough professional or life experience to coach a Kollab Youth teen through the winter cohort. With the encouragement of her colleagues, she signed herself up for the challenge anyway and has walked away from the experience with newfound confidence and self-assurance. Ender, who works on Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s communications team, was paired with Kollab Youth student Joanna. Supervisor Barger is a supporter and sponsor of the Kollab Youth program.
“I quickly learned that a mentor does not need to have it all figured out,” Ender said. “I was excited to see that I could pass my experiences onto Joanna, and while I have about a decade in the workforce, I am not so far removed from her stage in life that I’ve forgotten how it feels to be in her position. All the lessons I’ve learned are fresh in my memory and made my advice more relatable.”
Barger has been deeply engaged with Kollab Youth, contributing through sponsorships and speaking at the recently held Teen Summit, but for Ender, this marked her first collaboration with the organization. Ender expressed how enlightening it was to witness the program firsthand, having previously only heard about it in theory.
Ender is not the first person to speak to the impact of interacting with Kollab Youth firsthand versus from a distance. Being a mentor or attending an event gives people a chance to witness the positive influence of this program on their youth. Ender spoke about the lessons she learned from Joanna on a personal level.
“I love that Joanna is so open and adaptable,” Ender said about her mentee. “She's shown me that there is not a right or a wrong way to pursue your career. We’ve also talked a lot about how it’s a strength to be yourself in the workplace. Joanna is very compassion and kind-hearted. I’ve encouraged her to bring that perspective and energy into her future job, which will serve her as both a dependable employee and as a collaborative coworker.”
The young professional still found many opportunities to give Joanna useful advice. Ender admitted it was difficult for her to accept criticism early in her career. Two of the biggest lessons she passed on to her mentee were to be open to feedback from others and to become someone who other people want to have on their team. She also encouraged the teen to foster self-worth and be kind to herself.
Kollab Youth offers mentorship to students who are at least 16 years old and have been fully prepared through their mentee process. These mentors often grow from an inspirational influence in their life for the six-week cohort to someone who they can lean on in the future. Kollab Youth mentees and mentors many times continue the relationship beyond the length of the cohort.
As seen by Ender’s reflection, this can be a rewarding way to become involved with Kollab Youth. If you have an interest in being a mentor or can think of someone else who would be a fit, please reach out to Kollab Youth.
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