Happy Mentoring Young Professionals!
I currently volunteer as a Coach for One Million Degrees, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of low income community college students, and was truly inspired by the latest mentoring session hosted by the organization this past weekend. At the end of each session the students have the opportunity to share positive news with the group. Students gratefully spoke of how One Million Degrees and their coaches improved their lives for the better. Some students spoke how they were failing tests left and right and now they are receiving 100% on tests after their coach worked with them and helped them find a suitable tutor, other students spoke how their resumes were rejected and after working with a coach they now have an interview and others shared the new jobs they will be starting.
After the students had the opportunity to share one of the founding board members spoke and said “Thank you for sharing, your stories truly feeds our souls.” This statement hit right at home with me. It made me realize how a few individuals with the idea to make the world a better place by supporting individuals that might not have the support they need to succeed are making small yet large strides through their organization. It also made me realize how our small deeds add up to great changes for people. How supporting and motivating someone to get through their challenges and find the light at the end of the tunnel can be life changing not just for the people we are helping but also for ourselves, as these small deeds truly feed our souls and make us better people.
This is my challenge for you; Change a life for the better. Get out there and volunteer! Spend 2-3 hours a month (at least!) helping someone in person, one-on-one. We all have the time. We all have the resources. It’s time we use our resources to feed our souls.
Kind Regards,
William T. Kernan
Chair, IMA Young Professional Advisory Committee
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” - Harriet Tubman