Why Mentoring Young People Is About Opening Doors, Not Choosing Their Path

The 2026 Toastmasters International Convention ended with a bang—quite literally.

Severe lightning and thunder rolled across Vancouver, followed by heavy rain. Taxis stopped operating because conditions were unsafe. Flights were delayed or cancelled.

It was a dramatic ending to the convention.

But for one 17-year-old Gaveler, I wonder whether it may have marked a beginning.

I had the privilege of sponsoring this young person to attend the convention. Together, we experienced the inauguration of the new International President and attended the Gala. There were opportunities to meet Toastmasters leaders from around the globe and to see leadership represented through many cultures, professions and life experiences.

I have attended many Toastmasters conventions. I know the traditions, understand the organizational structure and recognize many of the people in the room.

This time, I had an opportunity to experience it through much younger eyes.

At 17, the future is still taking shape. Decisions about post-secondary education can feel enormous. There are courses to consider and careers to explore, but beneath those practical choices are much bigger questions:

Who might I become?

Where might my abilities take me?

What kind of difference could I make?

Sometimes young people need more than advice to begin answering those questions. They need to enter rooms where possibility becomes visible.

They need to meet people whose lives have taken unexpected paths. They need to hear different accents, encounter different cultures and see that leadership does not have only one face or follow one prescribed route.

My role was not to decide which direction this young person should take. It was simply to open a door and allow the experience to expand what might seem possible.

That is one of the quiet privileges of having travelled a little farther along the road. We cannot choose the path for those coming behind us, nor should we. But we can invite them into rooms they may not yet know exist.

We can introduce them to people they might not otherwise meet.

We can ask questions that help them listen more carefully to their own ambitions.

We can let them see the world through a wider window and trust them to decide what they will do with the view.

The storm brought the convention to an unforgettable close. Yet as I watched this young person encounter a global community of leaders, I was reminded that one experience can become the beginning of something we cannot yet see.

We may never know which conversation sparks an idea, which introduction opens a possibility or which moment helps a young person imagine a larger future.

Our responsibility is not to write their story.

Sometimes it is simply to help them see how many stories are possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is mentoring young people important?

Mentoring can expose young people to perspectives, experiences and opportunities they may not encounter on their own. A good mentor does not determine someone's future but helps them see possibilities they may not yet have considered.

What is the role of a mentor for a young person?

A mentor can listen, ask thoughtful questions, share experiences and create opportunities for exposure. The goal is not to provide every answer but to help a young person develop the confidence and perspective to find their own.

How can adults help young people prepare for their careers?

Career preparation involves more than choosing a course or profession. Adults can introduce young people to different industries, workplaces, leaders and experiences so they develop a broader understanding of what is possible.

Why is exposure important for young people's development?

It is difficult to imagine a future you have never seen. Exposure to different people, professions, cultures and environments can help young people discover interests and possibilities beyond their existing experience.

Should mentors tell young people which career to choose?

A mentor can provide perspective, but the decision should ultimately belong to the young person. Effective mentoring expands choices rather than narrowing them according to the mentor's own experiences or preferences.

How can parents expose their children to more career opportunities?

Parents can encourage young people to attend conferences, visit workplaces, meet professionals, volunteer, participate in community organizations and have conversations with people working in different fields.

Can one experience really influence a young person's future?

Sometimes. A conversation, introduction, trip or event can expose someone to an idea they had never previously considered. The impact may not become apparent until years later.

How can leadership programs benefit teenagers and young adults?

Leadership programs can give young people opportunities to communicate, collaborate, meet new people and experience situations outside their normal environment. These experiences can help develop confidence and broaden their perspective on future opportunities.