ABSTRACT

The United States is abundantly rich in adults with "know how." By connecting mentors -- educated adults with expertise and knowledge -- with mentees -- teens and young adults who lack motivation, experience, and role models in their lives -- we can begin to close this gap dramatically. We can prepare the next generation for the jobs of tomorrow by adding real-world, project based experience to their education.

Teach to Work is a call to action for mentors currently sitting on the sidelines. Whether you are a banker, lawyer, architect, accountant, engineer, IT specialist, or artist, you have the experience and skillset to become an ambassador of talent, grit, and transferable skills. The book provides a step-by-step guide to help professionals share their knowledge with the next generation of workers through this intergenerational experience.

Based on Alper’s fifteen years of mentoring inner-city high-school students, Teach to Work proves how corporations, professionals, and boomers can have a significant impact on the professional future of America’s youth. Drawing from real-life stories and letters received from students, teachers, and fellow mentors describing pride of accomplishment, Alper helps professionals embark on this journey to transform lives, mentoring one student at a time.

part One|54 pages

Why Mentor

chapter 1|19 pages

Giving Corporations a Soul

The Benefits of a Workforce That Mentors

chapter 2|22 pages

Professionals Find Meaning in Mentoring

Forging Win–Win Relationships

chapter 3|11 pages

A Student’s Lifeline

Inspiring Students because You Did It and They Can Too

part Two|152 pages

How to Mentor

chapter 4|15 pages

Project Based Mentoring™

An Intergenerational Catalyst

chapter 5|12 pages

Rules of Engagement

Establishing Expectations and Parameters

chapter 6|19 pages

Meet the Teacher

Setting the Course

chapter 7|12 pages

First-Day Jitters

A Game Plan to Get You Started

chapter 8|23 pages

One on One

Building Rapport, One Student at a Time

chapter 9|28 pages

Lesson Plans for Leading the Class

The World through Your Lens

chapter 10|20 pages

The Art of Presenting

Turning Students into Teachers

chapter 11|21 pages

Bringing Class to a Close

What Happens to the Mentor–Mentee Relationship?