That’s right – 11%. We as parents of kids born in the 1990’s have embraced the concept of spending small fortunes on our children. From dance teachers to sports trainers to academic and test prep tutors, we will do whatever it takes to help our kids get into the “best” college. While we may blanch at the price tag, we’ll happily pay the enormous cost of college itself, as again, we want our kids to have all the opportunities in the world. But what do we do the moment Matt or Ashley get accepted to college? We sit back and think our job is done, that it’s time for the kids to “step up.” We believe the orientation speeches and are sold on the idea that college advisory service will handle everything, only stopping to worry more each summer that goes by with Matt or Ashley nowhere closer to figuring out their career path.

One on One Mentors believes this philosophy is entirely backwards. It is not nearly as important what college our kids attend, as it is what they make of their college experience. With the right adult guidance (outside of the parental support system), teenagers can flourish and maximize their time in college in a way that will astound you and prepare them to attack whatever career they choose, with gusto.

As founder of One on One Mentors, Randy Shain has run a multi-million dollar business since 1993; through the help of an incredible team of young workers, his firm became the renowned leader and expert in the background due diligence field, with 72 employees as of 2015. Having hired hundreds of young people out of college over the past 2 plus decades, in addition to having interviewed thousands of recent graduates, Randy can say with certainty that the things most students emphasize in college are completely at odds with what will help them identify and pursue an appropriate and stimulating career path. So how do the young people he’s hired stand out from the crowd? What is their “edge?” No, it’s not their major, or their GPA, or the school they attended. Instead, it’s passion. It’s a desire to work for his company, not just take the first job that comes along. It’s the ability to write. It’s the willingness to take and even seek constructive criticism, using it to improve. And most importantly, it’s the ability to think independently and to develop solutions for problems, as opposed to becoming the type of employee who can only follow orders.

One on One gives every student this edge. There is no question that having an adult other than a parent help a student accomplish these things, to encourage them, to make them realize exactly how well they are doing, and to gently hold them accountable, results in an enormously positive relationship for the students (and mentors alike). Don’t be mistaken: colleges are not able to provide this type of personalized connection and training.

At One on One, we understand that getting a job after college is no longer easy or even guaranteed. But we also know that with the right guidance of a caring mentor, the teens of today are more than capable of becoming so employable that they will be the ones in charge – interviewing companies and choosing between what they like most, not waiting around and hoping for someone to offer them a job.

After all, getting into the “right” college is only the beginning, not the end, of the process.