Tips for Working with Teens/Young Adults

Be yourself, but model the behavior you want to see from them.

Smile, shake hands (if appropriate), and maintain eye contact.

Give your name, and ask each student his or her name.

Avoid any use of gender, racial, or ethnic stereotypes.

Wear your business attire or uniform/safety equipment (if appropriate); look like an “expert.”

Talk about your early aspirations, as well as your current job and how you obtained it.

Tailor conversations to meet the needs of the students (if appropriate). Use language, examples, and analogies that students can understand, but don’t talk down to them.

Students are inquisitive, especially if the subject matter has immediate personal application and they want to know all about it now. Look for opportunities to build on their interests.

Teens think of themselves as “young adults” and prefer to be treated that way.

This age group likes to have fun.

Actively ask teens' opinions (when appropriate).

When engaging with teenagers, they may appear disinterested or slow to respond. This is often because they don’t want to appear foolish in front of their peers. Each still wants to be noticed and appreciated.

When asking questions, use as many open-ended questions as possible.

They may need a moment to formulate a response (again, they don’t want to embarrass themselves!). Wait at least 5 seconds for an answer after asking a question. It may help to remember WAIT (ask yourself, “Why Am I Talking?”).

Don’t answer your own questions, and avoid criticizing or rejecting wrong answers from students. If the answer isn’t correct, try to build on a part that was (if possible) and lead into another question.

Students will typically respond positively to your enthusiasm, respect and encouragement.