Mentoring Youth, a Roadway for Retired Legends

Retirees have a great deal of knowledge and experience to share with young people. However, after retirement, they have been woken up to reality and have now started looking for a new purpose in life. Volunteering for mentoring could be a new purpose for them where they can put their experience and knowledge to use for the betterment of young people. They can share their life experiences and be a positive role model in their mentee’s lives.

As retirees have already lived through the life that the young people are living now, they can relate to the struggles, the ups and downs in different phases of life, work, relationships, and finances. Mentors help out with problem-solving situations where today’s youth face challenges in making choices and decisions in life. They might not have gone through exactly the same situations but they have experiences and strategies to guide you through it. Retirees are perfect to be role models as they have an abundance of wisdom gained to share with the younger minds and develop a committed relationship. 

Mentors can develop and understand the character and personality traits of their mentees and reinforce positive behaviour. Real-life examples and stories can be shared from the years of past experiences, that can help resolve problematic situations that may arise. Mentors can also be great teachers and teach their mentees a new skill and help them grow through it. More than a thousand CEOs retire every year and many people retire from prestigious posts in finance, logistics, politics, etc. 

This experience and intellect of the mentors that they have developed over the years is the most valuable asset they have that can be shared for the betterment of the youth [1]. They impart wisdom, personal experience, social interaction, decision-making ability, and encouragement. They certainly care for their mentees and nurture them with respect and love to those in need. The relationship and the bond that is created is more intimate and personal. Mentors empathize with the young ones and behave like a parent. Even college graduates turn to older mentors to seek advice for their career paths and goals. The relationship helps in the development of the young person and guides them towards the path that leads their successful lives.

 The benefits derived from such relations go both ways. It’s not just the young minds that seek help and develop, mentors, gain a lot of new information and experience as well from connecting with the new generation youth. Mentors feel that it has improved the quality of their current lives and were able to see the world with a different perspective and also found it helpful and exciting in keeping up with the trends. Learning is an ongoing process that has no end to it. At any point of age there will always be something new to the process, learn and adapt in one's life. Almost 40% of retirees tend to go back to work because of the lack of purpose in their lives and the feeling of emptiness [2]. 

Retirees after some time tend to get bored with their routine life and seek some new purpose to keep them going in life, mentoring the youth would give them a sense of purpose and a chance to make a difference in the community with their experience of life. Connecting with the youth also leads to personal growth and development and also boosts up their self-esteem. 

The success of such relationships undoubtedly breaks down the myths and stereotypes that result from the societal separation of different generations. By spending time mentoring a young adult, retirees get a platform to transfer their knowledge, skills, and values to the next generation and also remain involved in society. This derives personal satisfaction of belongingness in the society and breaking down the social and physical barriers between the flow of communication between the generations and provide opportunities for mutually beneficial learning for mentor and mentees. 

There are many personal and social agencies that help in such engagements and in establishing connectivity. They serve as a medium for the relationship between the mentors and the youth. The youth benefit tremendously from such programs, and it becomes easier for them to find the right mentor for themselves who will help in increasing their skills, self-esteem, and knowledge and support them throughout their journey. Mentors tend to keep the youth motivated and help them grow into great leaders for tomorrow. 

They become supportive role models for the youth and participate in spreading a positive impact in the community. By working together as a team, the young adults and the elders facilitate community collaboration and cooperative problem-solving. The passed down values and lessons learned about traditions, culture and respecting diversity and uniqueness, creating awareness about various issues affecting the society enhance the ability and mindset of the youth. 

The relationship will provide the students with a different perspective of leadership and current issues. The senior mentors share their wisdom and give guidance on various subjects. They not only help them learn how to address concerns that arise unexpectedly but also help them cope up with all this and still have a focused goal and walk towards it by crossing all the hurdles and challenges that come in the way with the help of a wise mentor by their side.