Fostering confidence and self-efficacy for youth in today’s rapidly changing world
‘When young individuals believe in themselves, they are more likely to take risks, pursue their goals and overcome challenges’
JA British Columbia (JABC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing learning opportunities for youth in work readiness, financial health and entrepreneurship to prepare them for a fulfilling career and life.
For some insights into how youth can achieve their goals, we spoke with Boston-based Asheesh Advani, CEO of JA Worldwide and co-author of Modern Achievement, a book exploring an innovative new framework designed to help young leaders succeed in today’s world.
Q. HOW DOES CONFIDENCE PLAY A ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE?
A. Confidence is essential for the development of young people as it serves as a foundation for their growth and success. When young individuals believe in themselves, they are more likely to take risks, pursue their goals and overcome challenges. Confidence enables them to navigate uncertainties and setbacks with resilience, ultimately shaping their attitudes towards learning and achievement.
Q. WHAT DOES JA DO TO HELP YOUNG INDIVIDUALS BUILD STRONG BELIEFS IN THEMSELVES?
A. Through our programs and initiatives, we provide hands-on learning experiences that encourage students to explore their career interests and develop a self-efficacy mindset that will help them thrive.
We do this by connecting youth to real world experiences and through entrepreneurship programs that enable students to build real businesses with customers, products and profits. For most students, this represents their first time building a business or having a title such as CEO or CFO.
Q. WHAT ESSENTIAL SKILLS DO YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO SUCCEED PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY IN TODAY’S RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD?
A. The definition of achievement for young people has changed in today’s world — a student-graduating from high school will have, on average, at least 20 jobs and at least seven different careers throughout their lifetime. (So) young people will need the mindset to learn new skills and modify career goals throughout the duration of their lives. Rather than setting long-term, inflexible goals, today’s graduates will define achievement as a process with multiple goals and an ability to pivot and thrive as the world changes.
Q. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUTH FEELING OVERWHELMED BY TRADITIONAL IDEAS?
A. Instead of measuring success solely based on external markers such as wealth or status, focus on what truly matters to you personally. My book, Modern Achievement, provides 30 lessons for aspiring leaders. One of my favourites is to make friends that are five to 10 years older than you are —to build relationships with people who are a few years senior to them as mentors, role models and friends.
The book also offers a modern framework — ‘fixed, flexible, freestyle’ — that allows leaders to adapt lessons and rules to changing circumstances.
To learn more, visit jabc.org.