Part 2 of 3: Using Your Privilege to Mentor Underrepresented Youth
By Serita Acker, internationally recognized creator of academic programs to increase underrepresented students in the STEM fields and skillsgapp advisor
Part 1: Reaching youth within their faith-based organizations
When it comes to mentoring underrepresented youth in career development, the go-to is to find - or to be - someone who looks like them. As a black woman in STEM, I am often called upon to mentor young black teens in STEM. Mae Jemison, the first black female astronaut to travel in space, is an active public speaker who encourages STEM involvement and improvements in education for women and minorities. Hispanic, Native American and other underrepresented populations follow suit. It’s an ‘I-did-it-you-can-too’ formula that works.
Here’s the problem: It’s a numbers game, and they don’t add up. Nearly half of U.S. adolescents identify as a racial or ethnic minority. The percentage of non-white adults in leadership positions, however, is more like 20%. Simply put, there aren’t enough of us to go around to mentor or to make a scalable impact. According to a nationwide study conducted last year, about 1.8 million young adults ages 18 to 24 “not only didn’t have a mentor but couldn’t nominate anyone that they felt was a meaningful person” in their lives. Sadly, those from lower economic backgrounds represent the majority of this population.
As the second of this three-part series on rules of engaging underrepresented youth, here are key steps you can take to mentor underrepresented youth in workforce development, no matter what you look like.
1. Don’t Be Afraid:
We don’t all have to look the same to have a shared commitment to diversity and inclusion. Anyone in a position of leadership, or with a passion for a field of study has a seat at the table for mentoring opportunity youth. Cross-racial mentorship has reciprocal benefits, as well, in building mutual trust and breaking down societal biases. Is looking like or speaking like minority youth ideal for establishing an apple-to-apples connection? Yes, but it’s not mandatory. When I first started out, one of my mentors was white, and she had access to resources and connections that completely changed my career trajectory. She used her privilege for my success.
2. Go Where They Are:
Engage with communities by reaching out to places where underrepresented youth already are. Start by connecting with local churches, non-profits, schools, and community colleges, as these are often central hubs for young people. The National Urban League has affiliates across the nation focused on empowering urban African American populations. Girls, Inc. is building the next generation of females for a more equitable society. You can also establish partnerships with organizations dedicated to supporting underrepresented youth, such as the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and first-generation college support initiatives. These groups have established trust within these communities and can provide a bridge for you to offer your mentorship and support.
3. Be an Active Participant in Their Development:
There are multiple ways to mentor and become a role model. Start by offering assistance with homework and tutoring to help them stay on track academically. Consider sponsoring scholarships that provide access to STEM camps, college tours, and career development programs, giving them exposure to opportunities they might not otherwise have. Mentorship is critical—share your career journey, the lessons you've learned, and the challenges you've overcome. Listening is just as important as talking, so be sure to hear their concerns and aspirations. Advocate for them by introducing them to professional networks and resources that can further their goals, as my mentor did for me. Within your industry, push for your company to invest in community initiatives that build future STEM leaders. Encourage and empower these young individuals to believe in their potential and pursue their dreams with confidence.
Conclusion
Strong developmental relationships like mentoring help young people of every age, race, and socioeconomic background discover who they are, cultivate the ability to shape their future, and to learn how to positively contribute to the world. Just remember, mentoring underrepresented youth isn’t as much of a ‘who’ question as it is a ‘how’ one. If you have the social capital to move someone to the next level, do it. Make a commitment to learning about and getting to know your target youth’s culture and societal nuances first, and then have the confidence that you matter, just as much as they do.
