A youth advocate is an experienced and mature professional whose main objective is to work in the best interest of the young individuals. The profession is not a popular one; however, with the increase in demand of youth counselors, the number of advocates is expected to amplify correspondingly. These professionals function as guides with whom the youth need to stay in constant touch, so as to receive apt directions in their academic, vocational, and personal lives. Workshops and gatherings are typical tools that the advocates utilize to facilitate adolescents and teenagers to interact and develop themselves.
The advocates are the ones who are responsible for reaching out to the youth. Possessing a wide network of contacts is necessary for them in order to spot the youth that are in need. They are required to work out plans with a view to reach out to them through means by which they get interested.
Organizing live demonstrations, seminars, short courses, interactive sessions, etc., in schools, colleges, private institutions, orphanage homes, and universities is one such way. It is also a great manner to create awareness about issues that plague the youth today. The prominent ones include peer pressure, addiction, learning disorders, teenage pregnancy, violence, misconduct, and many such other issues.
Keeping the parents/guardians in the loop, the youth are provided with suitable information about the subjects they are dealing with. Here, not only the youth but also the parents are given proper recommendations and guidance on how to manage life and other factors associated with it viz., education, career, change, health, socialism, relationship, marriage, fostering, religion, morality, family, etc. Delivering highest quality of advocating services along with appropriate mentoring and case management is also one of the primary duties of this profile.
Communication and organization are prime aspects of the work. The professionals should be able to develop strong rapport with their clients and organize the work in a tactful and efficient manner. Clubbing individuals with similar problems, engaging them into group activities, teaching them about constructive behavior and its relation with community, helping them to avoid unprincipled and felonious activities, counseling them to fight against stress, negativity, isolation, reprehensible or anti-social conduct, and other issues, etc., are also counted under the youth advocate job responsibilities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Education
Career Advancement
Youth advocates can use this profile as a stepping stone to advance as youth counselors, psychologists, or psychiatrists; however, a few additional qualifications are required. There is a huge requirement of youth advocates in today's society. They can be good role models for the youth to follow. With most celebrities and political leaders getting found in malicious scandals frequently, the professionals can fill in the void in the lives of the aspiring youth.