Steve Schorer spent 35 years in emergency medicine. Every shift, he knew his work mattered.

Then he retired.

“I wasn’t expecting to feel the void of missing a greater purpose in serving others,” Steve said.

He had more freedom than ever. What he missed was being needed.

Research backs up what Steve felt. A randomized controlled trial involving fully retired adults found that those who began volunteering regularly experienced improvements in life satisfaction, purpose and personal growth.

For Steve, finding purpose through mentorship started with a phone call from a friend. That’s the call that introduced him to BizWorld; a call that Steve described as “a gift from heaven.”

Do You Know Enough to Be a Mentor? Turning Professional Experience Into Purpose

On paper, Steve was more than ready. He had helped run the business side of a large emergency medicine group. At 55, he went back to school and earned an MBA. He had even helped start a company with his son.

Still, he worried. “I was a little nervous that I thought more of myself in business than I really was,” he said.

Maybe you have worried about the same thing. Many people think they need a long list of business wins before they can guide someone else. Steve found out that is not true.

“If you’ve been even partially successful and you have a heart to serve, what these kids need from you will bubble right to the top,” he said. “It’s not sophisticated business intellect that you need.”

BizWorld also makes it easy. Mentors can see what students are learning each week, so they know what questions are coming. “That’s how I cheated,” Steve joked. “I just read ahead.”

One Idea, Followed All the Way Through | Mentoring Young Entrepreneurs Through BizWorld

Steve first became involved as a coach and judge during the BizWorld Innovation Sprint, a fast-paced weekend where young people build business ideas from scratch. One team caught his eye. Scholar Safe wanted to connect students heading to college with safe, certified housing. They did not win the Sprint, but Steve saw something in their idea and told them so.

They took his advice and applied to the YES! (Young Entrepreneur Success) Program. They were accepted, and Steve became their business coach. He got to follow an idea from a single weekend all the way into a real business plan.

He also watched the students grow. “They come for the business,” Steve said. “They leave understanding something about themselves.” They learned how they handle risk, how they work with a team, and what role they play when everyone is counting on them.

It Does Not Take Much Time to Make a Big Difference

Mentors give about one hour a week for 10 weeks. The last two weeks before pitch day take a bit more. Steve did it all while traveling. “It’s max flex,” he said. “I can pull over on the side of the road, find Wi-Fi and jump on a call.”

Steve found himself wanting to give more, not less. “I kept looking for ways to spend more time, because I was enjoying it so much.”

His promise to his students says a lot. “You will never be intruding by calling me or texting me for the rest of your life.”

Why BizWorld Deserves Your Support

Mentors like Steve can only do their work because BizWorld builds the structure around them. Donations help fund free programs for underserved schools, teacher training, professional mentorship and seed funding for youth-led businesses.

Steve has watched the team up close. “They are very careful with my time and the donors’ money,” he said. “You do not see anything that’s inefficient.”

When he first met BizWorld Development & Community Director Melissa, his reaction was instant. “I would sell walnuts with her in the Congo,” he said. “This woman gets it.”

Is This a Good Use of Your Time?

Steve came to BizWorld looking for a way to serve again. He found young people whose ideas made him want to make more room in his schedule.

“This is really worthwhile,” he said. “This is a good use of my time.”

If you are looking for more purpose, or you want to pass on what you have learned, sign up to become a BizWorld volunteer or mentor. If you cannot give your time right now, you can still help.

Donate to BizWorld and give more young entrepreneurs access to people who will listen and help them keep going.