The British Psychological Society reports that young people are more likely to enjoy lucrative and rewarding careers if they are mentored during their youth, a new study has revealed.
Research by North Carolina State University, published in the American Journal of Community Psychology, discovered a naturally occurring mentorship arrangement can provide a “clear benefit” for youngsters that lasts well into their working lives.
For instance, it said young people who have been mentored in this way, rather than taking part in formal mentorship programmes, often find work early in their careers that gives them a degree of autonomy and responsibility.
Scientists behind the study said this can help to put them on a “path to more financially and personally rewarding careers”.
Dr Steve McDonald, an associate professor of sociology at North Carolina State University, added that the findings suggest mentees “learn to place a higher value on jobs with more intrinsic rewards”.
He said these characteristics are often “associated with long-term career success”.
Chartered Psychologist Dr Nick Baylis comments:
“Naturally occurring mentorship has always shown itself to be a superb benefit to both parties, mentee and mentor, particularly for youngsters who have few close role models in their home life.
“This study is exploring one of the most promising sources of all-round well-being. It’s worth noting that troubled and troubling older teenagers can take great confidence and maturity by being asked to mentor someone considerably younger than themselves.”