Real (9) Talk

I recently became involved with a program at my local high school (which happens to be my old stomping ground) called Real 9. It is part of what many of us would remember as CAAP from our days. The session I volunteer for puts small groups of Grade 9 students in front of adults from the community to participate in mock interviews. This helps them prepare for real life interviews and may be for many of them the first time being asked questions that could secure them employment. We talked about resumes and applying for jobs when I was that age, but I would have really appreciated something like this. I love that this is now a thing!

As interviewers, we are provided with a small grading rubric and a list of helpful questions to keep the session moving. I try to ask a few unconventional questions to trip them up, that other interviewers may not, but will get them thinking outside the box. Things like "What is one goal you have for yourself in the next year?" or "Tell me a time you felt you succeeded and why this made you proud." and "If you could do anything without the constraints of time or money, and you knew you could not fail, what would you do?" Many of their answers relate to their academic environment, as would be natural at fourteen when school is a big focus. Amazingly so, I would often get answers that would blow me away. The latter question I listed was hard to grasp for many students, but when I asked it most recently, the first student to answer said "I would start a non-profit organization that benefits the environment." At fourteen! I realized that I almost stopped talking and had to remind myself that I was the one leading the conversation. I was an involved teenager, I was in clubs and on teams, I spoke up. But I can't imagine fourteen year old me giving an answer like that. To have the forethought and the broad world view to consider that kind of selfless project is a perspective that many of us never achieve. I was very impressed.

There were definitely a lot of nerves in the room, fidgeting fingers and shifty gazes. There was also an enormous amount of confidence and dedication to learning. I found myself writing notes like "I would hire them on the spot!" or "Answered with articulate, well-thought out examples." and "Spoke up with confidence for every question." I like that the dialogue around youth is changing from when I was younger, or at least I would like to think it is. I feel like in the 90s and early 2000s the adjectives used to describe teenagers had more negative connotations. Like we were this group of lazy, uninterested half-humans who were going to fail in the work force. Not that we were told this in school, I am more thinking of how we were portrayed in the media. Maybe I am only getting part of the picture, but I feel like we are working towards empowering our youth more than we have before. They are learning new technologies younger, learning to adapt in the work place, and coming up with innovative ways to approach learning and business. Yes, social media and the constant access to a wide number of influences that can negatively impact their self-esteem and concept of reality is a real problem. But outside of their phones, these teens seemed be focused on personal and group success, treating their peers with kindness, and being open to new things. It may not have been quite a real-life situation, but it is as close as they will get in the preparation stage and many of them demonstrated an ability to manage novelty and stress beyond their years. 

It was also incredibly interesting to interact with these young minds and hear what sorts of things they are passionate about. Surfing, knitting, music, soccer, theatre, circus. And to see how many of them are already employed and thinking about what they value in a work place. They talked about respect, equal treatment, a desire for fulfilling and challenging work, and being a kind and supportive co-worker. The other awesome thing was that gender didn't seem to play a role in any of their answers either. Girls talked about interests in the trades and sports, young men talked about theatre and cooking. The world is their oyster, and they want to make pearls.

If only they knew how nervous it makes me to be there in front of them demanding answers! I haven't worked with young people in a long time, and the few sessions I have been involved in makes me realize that I should be making it more of a priority. The people who are working with them every day, teachers, administrators, support staff, are entrusted with the amazing task of preparing new adults for the  real world from the ground up. Instilling in them confidence, helping them discover new passions, and finding a direction. Being involved in even a small way has been so rewarding and I look forward to doing it more in the future.  I challenge you this: next time you have the opportunity to interact with a child or young adult, give them at least a small amount of your undivided attention. Ask them thoughtful questions and really listen to their answers. You never know what you both might learn.