ASU+GSV Summit 2022: David Shapiro on making an impact on young people

Thought leaders share ideas with WorkingNation Overheard at the ASU+GSV Summit 2022
-

Moving young people forward requires a number of strategies, according to David Shapiro, CEO, MENTOR. He explains the significance of strong mentoring relationships in a person’s life.

“If there’s not someone else in your life who you’ve either seen do something before, or been exposed to it, or who can tell you the steps to get there and navigate you through what might not always be a straight path, it’s really hard to find your way to different job paths and eventual career pathways,” says Shapiro.

WorkingNation sat down with Shapiro at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego.

Gaining social capital and having access to work-based learning are also components that contribute to success, notes Shapiro.

He says because of the pandemic, there has to be a mindfulness component surrounding connection. “We learned in the virtual world how much, even further, you have to be intentional about relationship and connection. People don’t make the water cooler connections. Unless you intentionally structure in human connection and relationship, getting to know each other and getting to have a stake in one another is not happening as much.”

Learn more about MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership.