Why I chose to start tutoring in 2024

By Mitch Aist

I chose to start tutoring due to my inherent personality as well as an unexpected string of situations and choices, starting back in my early teen years. To start, my family background had a huge impact. I am the oldest of 4 siblings, which made being looked up to and being a mentor come naturally to me. My family also puts a high value on education – my mother taught elementary school for twenty-five years, and both of my parents have master’s degrees. Even my grandfather, born in 1942, had a master’s degree.

In high school and college, most of my volunteering activities centered around youth and families. I was a babysitter for families in my neighborhood and I volunteered with my church’s Vacation Bible School.

In college, I pursued Mathematics, one of my favorite subjects from school. When counsellors asked me what I wanted to do with this degree, I didn’t really know how to answer. My thoughts went to teaching, since teachers were the only ones who I knew in my life who regularly practiced math. Once I got to college I declared a Mathematics major, with an emphasis on K-12 education. I got a part time job teaching Sunday School and leading the 5^th/6^th grade program at the local Methodist church in order to get some experience and start networking with families.

After spending my college senior year student-teaching under various mentor teachers, I decided that teaching wasn’t for me at that point. This decision caused me a bit of panic – what college senior wants to realize that their choice of study isn’t right for them after all? Fortunately, the career counsellors had my back, and reassured me that a degree in mathematics was both lucrative and flexible. I knew within myself that I wasn’t done with teaching forever – I may return to this skillset when the time is right.

So instead of teaching, I entered the business world. I started in IT-support, but quickly pivoted to the company’s finance team. I thoroughly enjoyed finance, found a great mentor, and even gained strong skills in Microsoft Excel. After just one year on the finance team, my boss and mentor encouraged me to get my MBA.

Long story short, I obtained that degree, and got a job as a finance systems consultant. This job was a huge thrill, full of travel, and with an intimidating amount of responsibility. The ambitious part of me ate it up, and quickly learned the technical aspects of the job.

However, after 6 years as a consultant, I had become terribly burned out. The work became repetitive, and I realized that the pace of my ambition was unsustainable. My physical health even suffered – I got a horrible case of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) due to computer overuse.

I quit my job and took some time off for myself to heal and reflect. At age 31, I felt exactly as I had as a 21-year-old college senior – the same feelings of uncertainty and futility emerged. To make ends meet, I tried my hand at consulting as an independent worker – it worked, and I found a knack for teaching and mentoring inexperienced consultants. My passion for teaching subconsciously awoke.

Being a part time independent consultant allowed me time to consider my next career move, including ventures outside of my field. The ambitious part of me won’t sit still, even when I’m satisfied and suffering chronic pain from RSI. I realized that running my own company just might be the thrill I’m looking for. Now was the time to reengage my excitement for working with youth.

Tutoring occurred to me as the best way that I can retain my independence, engage my entrepreneurial spirit, and utilize my old teaching skills. I called Kyle Appelhans, an old friend from college, who I knew was equally ambitious. He had followed through on his plan to become a teacher after college and has the experience to know how to help students succeed. Thankfully, he enthusiastically agreed to join the venture, and Master Advantage Tutoring was born.

My personality and my collective choices and experiences led me here. I’m extremely proud to call myself a tutor, and I’m excited to see where Master Advantage Tutoring goes in the future.