January is National Mentoring Month, the perfect time to recognize how mentorship, in its many forms, is a key support for students as they move from high school to college and into careers. While assessments like the ACT help students understand where they are academically, mentorship from educators, counselors, and family members can help them understand where they can go and how to get there.
Why mentorship matters
Students frequently turn to mentors for guidance with college and job applications, as well as for insight into their skills and growth areas. Mentoring is a key element of a students’ support network provided through internships, apprenticeships, tutoring, and guidance from teachers, counselors, or alumni.
Educators and tutors often use high school students’ ACT scores to guide them through college planning, helping pinpoint areas that need improvement and showcasing academic strengths. Similarly, universities like Virginia Commonwealth University support student success through mentorship programs that help learners develop skills for their studies and prepare for future careers.
“Mentorship has been transformative for our students,” says Dr. Hernan Bucheli, vice president of the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management & Student Success at VCU. “It provides real-world advice, boosts confidence, and helps demystify the transition from college to career. We’ve also seen mentorship play a role in helping high school students navigate the admissions process and feel more connected to VCU before they even arrive. Many mentees report increased clarity in career direction and stronger job search outcomes.”
Coaching students for college success
Developing a comprehensive list of schools, preparing application materials, and taking the ACT are fundamental components of the college admissions process; however, these tasks may seem daunting for many students and their families. Counselors, admissions advisors, educators, and ACT tutors, all serve as valuable mentors by providing guidance throughout each stage of the process, including alleviating test anxiety through targeted preparation strategies and advice on effective test-taking techniques.
Additionally, ACT provides online mentoring tools that students and counselors may utilize as comprehensive guides for college readiness. Tools such as ACT test prep and tutoring resources resources deliver practical guidance and support.
Preparing students to begin their careers
Whether a student is starting a career right out of high school or applying for jobs with a college degree in hand, working with a mentor can not only help alleviate anxiety about navigating the process but also provide a networking opportunity to expand job prospects.
Mentorship in higher ed
While many students arrive at college with strong academic foundations, true career readiness requires more than classroom knowledge. Bucheli explains, “At VCU, we recognize that targeted support like resume writing, interviewing skills, and workplace communication is essential for post-graduation career success. Our Career Services team and mentorship programs bridge the gap, ensuring students are not just qualified, but confident as they enter the workforce.”
Internships are another valuable form of mentoring for college students as they prepare for the workforce. Bucheli points out that the data on internship programs are quite convincing.
“Students who engage in internships and other experiential learning have marked increases in their confidence related to career development and readiness. At VCU, we survey students multiple times between starting their college career and graduation regarding their career preparation and satisfaction. The Summer 2025 cohort, specifically, saw increased confidence in all eight NACE Career Readiness Competencies from the beginning to the end of their internships, with the largest gains in the areas of career and self-development, critical thinking, and communication.”
Workforce and apprenticeship
When it comes to entering the workforce directly out of high school, mentorship is critical. This usually comes in the form of apprenticeships, which offer on-the-job training, classroom instruction, skill development, and general guidance. ACT’s apprenticeship toolkit helps companies create and maintain strategic programs with:
- Clear elements of apprenticeship quality
- A framework to improve apprenticeship outcomes
- Tools to strengthen the link between apprenticeships and learning outcomes
- Customizable benchmarks for employers to aid in apprentice selection and evaluation
As Dr. John Wensveen, vice provost at Miami Dade College, shares, “What we’re trying to do is reinvent what apprenticeship actually means, knowing that it has traditional historic definitions… We’re now bringing new opportunities to communities so they can have career pathways that they previously didn’t know existed.”
Benefits beyond the classroom
Mentors provide practical experience, emotional support, and industry insights. They guide students through admissions and applications, foster resilience and confidence, and explain workplace culture — skills often overlooked in academics.
Mentorship programs strengthen the connection between educational institutions and the broader community. By equipping students with skills for local career opportunities, whether immediately after high school or upon completing higher education, and promoting civic engagement, mentors play a critical role in cultivating a dynamic and workforce-ready economy.
Advantages for mentors
Mentors often find the experience deeply rewarding. Working with college or high school students allows them to give back, stay connected to their alma mater, and gain fresh perspectives. Mentoring also helps students transition into their next life stages and improves mentors' leadership and communication skills.
The bottom line
Mentorship is not just a support system; it’s a catalyst for transformation. Investing in mentoring programs empowers students, strengthens communities, and helps redefine what it means to be truly college and career ready.
