Benefits of Mentoring for Young People

The main benefits of one-on-one mentoring are structure, follow-through and a steady adult outside the family who believes a young person can do the work. For teens, college students and young adults, that often shows up as clearer goals, better habits, more confidence and less conflict at home. Benefits depend on a consistent relationship and regular contact over time.

What the research generally shows

Mentoring for young people has been studied for decades. Two widely cited sources give a fair picture:

A large review of youth mentoring programs led by psychologist David DuBois, published in 2011 and summarized by the Association for Psychological Science, found that mentoring programs had modest positive effects across behavioral, social, emotional and academic outcomes, and that programs varied widely in how well they worked.
A national survey by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, published as The Mentoring Effect in 2014, found that young adults who had a mentor growing up were more likely to report aspiring to and enrolling in college, volunteering regularly and holding leadership roles than those who did not.

Two honest caveats. Most of this research looks at structured programs, often for younger children, rather than paid one-on-one mentoring for older students and young adults. And survey results show associations, not proof that mentoring caused the outcome. The consistent theme is that mentoring tends to help, and that the quality and consistency of the relationship matter a great deal.

Benefits for teens

High school is when many students first need to manage several demands at once: classes, activities, a first job, friendships and the pull of a phone. A mentor helps with the managing part.

A non-parent adult to plan with. Teens often hear advice differently from someone who is not their parent, which can take pressure off home; see how to talk to a teen who will not talk.
Habits that last. Weekly planning, a routine for homework and better sleep; see teen procrastination.
Confidence from follow-through. Confidence grows from doing hard things and seeing them work; see building teen confidence.
Thinking ahead. Exploring careers, summer plans and what comes after high school.

For high school students, a parent or guardian is always involved: they join the intro call, help agree on goals and get regular updates. See mentoring for high school students and does my teenager need a mentor.

Benefits for college students

College removes most outside structure at the same moment the workload and independence increase. The first year is often where students either build good systems or start to slide.

Weekly structure. A regular planning session to map deadlines and study time; see college time management.
Early warning. A mentor notices missed classes or slipping grades before they become a crisis; see when a college student skips class.
Help with decisions. Choosing a major, transferring, taking a leave or finding an internship.
Someone to call between sessions. Text and phone contact makes it easier to ask for help early.

See mentoring for college students and college transition mentoring.

Benefits for young adults

After school ends, there is often no one whose job it is to check in. Young adults who feel stuck usually do not lack intelligence or ability; they lack a structure that turns intentions into action.

Direction. Turning “I do not know what to do” into a few options to test; see when you do not know what to do with your life.
Accountability. Someone expecting results each week, which helps with work, job searches and routines.
Practical skills. Budgeting, cooking, moving out and handling paperwork; see adulting skills.
Less strain at home. Parents can step back from daily reminders when someone else is handling the check-ins; see adult child living at home.

See young adult mentoring and young adults feeling stuck.

What makes the benefits more likely

Consistency. Meeting on a regular schedule, not only when things go wrong.
One steady person. A mentor who knows the young person’s history and goals.
Specific weekly steps. Goals broken into actions small enough to do this week.
Contact between sessions. Short check-ins keep momentum going.
Buy-in. The young person has a real say in the goals.
Family alignment. Parents and mentor agree on the big picture, with appropriate privacy for the young person.

What mentoring does not do

Mentoring is not tutoring, therapy or medical care, and it does not promise any particular result. If a young person is struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use or thoughts of self-harm, a licensed professional is the right step, and a mentor can coordinate with them when permission is given. In a crisis, call or text 988.

How Blackburn mentoring works

Each person gets one dedicated mentor. They set goals, break them into weekly steps and meet weekly or several times a week for 30 or 60 minutes, by video anywhere in the United States or in person in Los Angeles, with text and phone contact between sessions. Read how mentoring works, or see is mentoring worth it if you are still deciding.

Common questions

How long does it take to see benefits from mentoring?

Small changes, like a steadier routine, often show up within the first several weeks. Bigger changes in direction and confidence usually take longer and depend on consistency.

Is one-on-one mentoring better than a group program?

They do different things. One-on-one mentoring allows a plan built around one person and closer follow-through; groups offer peer connection. Some young people benefit from both.

Does mentoring help if my teen does not want it?

It works best with some willingness. A low-pressure intro call often helps a reluctant teen see that a mentor is on their side, not another person to answer to.

Can mentoring happen online?

Yes. Video sessions work well for most teens and young adults, and text and phone check-ins fill the gaps between sessions.

Get started

Want to talk about whether mentoring would help your teen, student or young adult? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.

The Benefits of Mentoring for Teens, College Students and Young Adults