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Mentoring and Work Readiness
Mentoring and Work Readiness
34% of young people (and even more, 37% of
at-risk youth) report they have never had an adult
mentor of any kind.
Nationwide, that means approximately
16 million youth, including nine million at-risk youth,
will reach age 19 without ever having a mentor.
The Mentoring Effect Report 2014
The Mentoring Gap
At-risk youth are more likely to…
• Miss classes • Be suspended or expelled from school • Fail classes or be required to repeat a grade • Get in trouble with the law
At-risk youth are less likely to…
• Have a naturally occurring mentor
The Mentoring Effect Report 2014
Societal Cost of Disconnected Youth
The Cost? $93 BILLION LOST ANNUALLY in wages, taxes, and social services
The Mentoring Effect Report 2014, The Economic Value of Opportunity Youth 2012
The Mentoring Effect Report 2014
Young Adults Who Were At-Risk for
Falling Off Track
but HAD A MENTOR, are:
Median Lifetime Earnings by
Highest Educational Attainment
The College Payoff, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce 2014
Value of investing in Mentoring and
College/Career Readiness
Return On Investment, Indiana Commission of Higher Education 2013
Value of College Completion by the numbers:
Recent research has shown, every dollar invested in quality youth
mentoring programs yields a $3 return in benefits in to society. The Mentoring Effect Report 2014
Starfish Initiative Overview
Founded in 2003 with 12 students; evolved to acclaimed 1-on-1
mentoring “college coach” model
Mission Statement - “ Starfish Initiative inspires, encourages, and prepares
promising, economically disadvantaged students for college and career
success”
Today, 600+ students in Indianapolis are on their individual journey to
college graduation, attending 39 high schools and 46 different colleges
Starfish Career Readiness
➢ Access to tools and resources such as Career Cruising
➢ Meyers Briggs assessments
➢ College and Career Fair events
➢ Workplace Encounter experiences
➢ Job Shadowing opportunities
➢ Soft Skills workshops
Additionally, students receive:
➢ Help in achieving 21st Century Scholarship and other
scholarship opportunities
➢ Help and guidance in college apps, essays, FAFSA
➢ Help in mitigating issues and obstacles (added layer of
support to guidance counselors, etc)
➢ Help in determining the best college fit
➢ Help preparing for transition from HS to college
The most affordable degree is an on-time degree,
and research shows that students who stay within the
same general area of study are more likely to
complete college.
College Completion Report, Indiana Commission for Higher Education 2016
Lack of College and Career Readiness Support
Indiana ranks 45th of the 50 states in the number of K-12 students per counselor with an average of one counselor for every 620 students*. The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of 250:1.
In the 2014 Indiana School
Counseling Research Review,
90% of the counselors
surveyed said they spent less
than 50% of the time spent
with their students talking
about college and career readiness.
*Lilly Endowment Press Release 2016
Starfish = Successful Outcomes
Of the Starfish Scholars that complete four years of
programming…
100% graduate high school
96% enroll directly into college
77% have achieved, or are in pursuit of a
postsecondary degree
Q&A with former Starfish Scholar,
Brandon Walker
Q: How has the Starfish experience benefited you in your adult life?
Q: How did your Starfish Mentor interact with other members of your support system (family, teachers, counselors, etc.)?
Q: What is your advice to those who may have an interest in serving as mentors, or to organizations and individuals who may want to support mentoring efforts?
