Building core employability skills and ethical productive mindsets

As an economist, I find that FEA’s mentor program has a much higher benefit-cost ratio than I have seen anywhere; the benefits to the students are very high while the costs to me as a mentor are minimal. As a teacher, it has been a pleasure to work with students whom I don’t have to teach – I just guide them to learn on their own. As an Indian, it is so heartening to get to know hardworking, motivated young people who are looking to get ahead – India cannot get ahead unless they do. FEA – you are doing a great job!

Mentoring at FEA has been the most satisfying and fulfilling work of my life. It’s a low-cost-high dividend exercise. I offer encouragement, guidance, tips and strategies about life skills, speaking, writing, presentations, decision-making, planning for eventualities, and broadening of horizons. The students are the future of India, the largest single demographic. They must do better than their parents for India to progress. The rewards for me as a mentor are almost immediate. By session 5, the last session, they are eager, prepared, and energized. Their thirst of learning is apparent. It’s a win-win.

Mentoring is an extremely uplifting experience both for the mentor and mentee as learning is purely in the form of experiences shared, and it really opens the mind to different situations of life for both parties. I am grateful to FEA for providing a safe space for students to express themselves and understand their strengths and areas of development, as well as provide the ideal resources to make them realize the best version of themselves. It gives me utmost joy and fulfillment to build relationships with these students and be part of their growth trajectory!










































