A business support program specifically for young people is available through the United Way. Their youth networking initiative called Mentor Me pairs a veteran professional with a young person interested in the same field.
"It is open to any career, not just business. If you want to be a firefighter we will match you with a firefighter and we have done that," said program co-ordinator Jolene Shepherd. "Everybody has been super supportive. The response from the community when we go looking for matches has been amazing. I've struggled through career decision making in my own life, I would have loved someone to talk to."
It costs nothing to take part, thanks to sponsorships by The Keg and the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition. There is no fee to the aspiring professional and no investment by the established mentor, other than some time. The program asks the mentor to meet for coffee with the young person a minimum of six times, but many matches go beyond the minimums.
"Through this process of casual conversation about a career, the young person may decide not to go into this career, and that is also a victory, because it moves the person on to a better option," said Shepherd.
She hopes to build a mentor database so as youth come to the United Way to join the program, there is a faster track to a mentor.
More than 50 youth have already met up with established mentors in the Prince George region by accessing the Mentor Me program. Anyone interested in finding a professional match or in being a mentor can call Shepherd at the United Way at 250-561-1040.
