Yes, you can work with a Blackburn mentor from Des Moines. Students, families and young adults in West Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Johnston, Urbandale and across Central Iowa meet one dedicated mentor by video, scheduled in Central time, with text and phone check-ins between sessions. Our team is in Los Angeles, so every session is online.
A fast-growing metro with steady roots
Des Moines is the state capital and one of the country’s major centers for insurance and financial services, with large employers downtown and in the western suburbs. Agriculture and agribusiness, manufacturing, health care and state government round out the economy. The suburbs have grown quickly, especially Waukee and Ankeny, which means many schools are newer and many families are newer to the area too.
Summers bring the state fair, farmers markets downtown and trails along the rivers. Winters are cold and windy. Spring can bring severe weather, and late summer can be hot and humid. For many families, the calendar fills with school activities, youth sports and time with relatives.
The steady path and the question underneath it
Central Iowa offers a lot of stability: good jobs, affordable homes and a short commute. That is a real advantage. It can also make it hard for a young person to ask whether the obvious next step is the right one. Mentors here often help someone answer questions like:
- Should I take the solid job I was offered, or try something less certain first?
- Do I want to stay near family, move to a bigger city, or try one and decide later?
- Is college the right next step for me right now, or would a trade, a certificate or a gap year fit better?
- I am a few years into a good job. Why do I feel stuck, and what can I change?
A mentor does not hand down answers. They help a person gather information, try small experiments and decide. See how to make a five-year plan and young adults feeling stuck.
Teenagers in growing suburbs
When a school district adds students every year, it is easy for a quiet or disorganized teen to slip through. A mentor gives that student one hour a week focused only on them: what is due, what got in the way and what the plan is. Parents or guardians join the intro call, agree on goals and get regular progress updates.
College students nearby and far away
Many Des Moines students attend one of the colleges and universities within a couple of hours, while others head out of state. Either way, a mentor can stay with them through the first year, helping with time management, study habits and the small adult tasks that suddenly become theirs. Our guide to college time management covers the basics.
How sessions fit the day
Des Moines is two hours ahead of Los Angeles. A 4 pm session after school is 2 pm for the mentor, and evening sessions for working adults are simple to arrange. Sessions run 30 or 60 minutes, weekly or several times a week.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor is a dedicated, consistent adult who helps set goals, break them down and follow through. Mentoring is not therapy, tutoring or admissions advice, and mentors can coordinate with professionals already involved when the client agrees. Learn how video mentoring works on our online mentoring page.
Related
- Online mentoring by video
- Young adult mentoring
- Mentoring for high school students
- Online mentoring in Minneapolis
Common questions
Are there in-person sessions in Iowa?
No. In-person mentoring is only offered in Los Angeles. In the Des Moines area, every session is by video.
Can a mentor help a student decide between college and a trade?
A mentor helps a student explore options, talk with people in each field and make a plan. They do not give admissions advice, but they can work alongside a school counselor.
How often do people meet with a mentor?
Most meet weekly, and some meet several times a week. Text and phone contact between sessions keeps the plan on track.
Get started
Want to see whether a mentor fits someone in Central Iowa? 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.