By Virginia Flanagan, Executive Assistant with UGI Utilities/Mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA

When I first signed up to be a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Beyond School Walls program, I anticipated a rewarding experience centered around career guidance and professional development. What I did not anticipate was just how profoundly the experience would impact me not only as a professional, but as a person.

Beyond School Walls pairs mentors from the workplace with young students who are navigating one of the most formative chapters of their lives. The program creates a unique space where meaningful, consistent connections can form between professional women and the next generation of young leaders. And while the mission is rooted in uplifting the mentee, I have found that the growth flows in both directions.

Having the opportunity to connect with such an inspirational young woman on so many levels – talking with her about her goals, aspirations, struggles, and fears – has given me a profound sense of purpose and belonging that I did not know I was missing. There is something deeply moving about sitting across from an incredible person as she works through some of the very same challenges I faced at her age: balancing friendships, extracurricular activities, volunteering, internship opportunities, and academic pressure. Being able to offer insight and perspective from the other side of those experiences is both humbling and incredibly fulfilling.

While I have always known that helping others is one of my greatest passions, I was genuinely surprised by just how much I enjoy this particular form of mentorship. It goes so far beyond reviewing résumés or discussing career pathways. My mentee has confided in me about her triumphs and setbacks, in school, in band, and in her personal life, and she arrives to each of our sessions with an enthusiasm and openness that honestly inspires me. Knowing that she looks forward to our time together and trusts me with her story is something I do not take lightly.

I also believe deeply in the importance of women and girls connecting in this intentional way, perhaps now more than ever. Through Beyond School Walls, these young women have the opportunity to interact with a wide array of professional women across different roles and disciplines here at UGI. That kind of exposure is invaluable. It allows them to see, firsthand, that their futures are not confined to a narrow set of expectations. They can be engineers, executives, analysts, communicators, and leaders in fields they may never have considered before walking through our doors.

Community involvement of this kind is not simply an item to add to a résumé. It is a genuine investment in a young person’s future, in your own growth, and in the kind of community and professional culture we all want to be part of. If you are looking for a way to expand your network, deepen your sense of purpose, and make a lasting difference in someone’s life, I cannot recommend the Beyond School Walls program highly enough. The impact, I promise you, will go both ways.

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