Once unsure of her path after high school, Newport student Patience now has a career direction and a renewed sense of confidence, thanks to a mentorship experience through Big Brothers Big Sisters.
High school students in the region are stepping beyond the classroom and into the workplace through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati’s Beyond School Walls program. The program is designed to expose students to real-world careers by pairing high school juniors and seniors with professionals in the workforce.
Through monthly workplace visits, students meet one-on-one with mentors, build professional skills and gain firsthand insight into potential career paths.
In the Beyond School Walls program, Little Sister Patience is paired with her Big Sister, Assistant Vice President and Head of Financial Reporting at MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company, Tammy Landfried.
“I decided to be part of Beyond School Walls because I didn’t know what I wanted to do for my future and wanted guidance on what path was right for me,” Patience said in a press release. “From being in the program these past two years, I have learned far more than what I expected going in. Not only did I find a career path I enjoy, I found out what it’s like to be in a work setting and how to act and present myself. Before Beyond School Walls, I was clueless about that.”
As Jackie Graves, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Director of Special Programs, explains, the program supports students throughout their junior and senior years of high school.
“Monthly visits to the company’s office allow students to explore career opportunities, develop essential professional skills and build confidence as they engage with mentors in a real-world work environment,” Graves said in the release. “The Beyond School Walls program has more than doubled in size over the past two years, with plans to continue expansion, ensuring more young people have access to supportive mentors and meaningful pathways to their future.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati currently has eight Beyond School Walls programs and plans to continue growing by partnering with additional companies and high schools.
“MassMutual Ascend is proud to support Big Brothers Big Sisters as part of our commitment to strengthening the communities where we live and work, investing in the next generation, and fostering a culture of service and purpose,” Landfried said. “Our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters creates a meaningful, lasting impact in our surrounding communities by providing children with consistent mentorship and trusted support as they build confidence, life skills, and create a plan that helps meet their educational and professional goals.”
Patience, who had no college plan prior to her Beyond School Walls experience, has received scholarship offers from several colleges and has decided to attend Gateway Community and Technical College for two years and then transfer to Northern Kentucky University.
She said she appreciates Big Brothers Big Sisters and MassMutual Ascend for the experience.
“The leaders at MassMutual Ascend go above and beyond to make sure everyone has everything they need,” Patience said. “They take their time to get to know their Littles and truly care. I would say thank you for everything and continue to impact others. I highly recommend more businesses to do Beyond School Walls because the program teaches young adults how to succeed after high school. The more businesses and people that get involved, the more impact young adults will have on the world.”
For more information about Beyond School Walls or other ways to get involved, click here.