Mentors: Opening Doors of Opportunity

When I look back at my own education, I am grateful to the adults who opened doors of opportunity for me. At the time, I just knew them as people I looked up to; today I understand these inspiring people were my mentors.

My high school DECA advisor was one of those mentors who had a profound influence on my life.  The leadership development skills and positive adult relationships I experienced through DECA led me to a career in education.  As a high school marketing teacher and DECA advisor now, I want to facilitate similar experiences for my students. DECA* allows my students, and students across the country, to receive the personal mentorship they need to improve key skills required to become future leaders in marketing, finance and hospitality. The commitment by AT&T employees to be mentors, through AT&T’s Aspire Mentoring Academy, has given my students access to doors of opportunity I could only wish to provide on my own. These AT&T employees have changed the lives of my students; much like my mentors changed my life so many years ago.

Check out the video above to see how my and other students have grown because of their experience with DECA.

I would like to thank every AT&T employee who has volunteered their time through Aspire Mentoring Academy and I congratulate them on achieving the 1 million hours of mentoring milestone. My students are looking forward to a million more!

* DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.