Each week during November’s #MembershipMatters Campaign, we’ll highlight the story of a Step Up member in her own words. Ready to join her as a member of the national network of women inspiring girls to fulfill their potential? You can become a member here.
Many people think mentoring is a one-way street….that it’s about sharing what you’ve learned with people less experienced.
That’s certainly a part of mentoring with Step Up teens. The young ladies I’ve met through Step Up are eager to learn from and connect with professional women. What I didn’t expect was how much I would be inspired by these girls.
When I first became a Step Up member, I was enjoying what, by all objective measures, was a very successful career. I worked with people I liked and respected, doing a job I was very good at. But it was a career that didn’t take advantage of my natural talents and my passion had definitely faded.
My first volunteer opportunity with Step Up was meeting with sisters, Marilyn and Kenia, to share my experience as an attorney. After meeting with these sisters, I was inspired by their desire to explore different careers. I heard myself telling them that the decision you make about your first career doesn’t have to be the career you choose forever.
Volunteering made me really think about what kind of an example I was for these teens. Working with Step Up teens inspired me to take my own advice and pursue a new career in coaching as a way to express my passion for working with people to live the life they most want. I’ve also been inspired by Step Up teens’ desires to really make a difference in the world and have expanded my volunteering to other organizations supporting causes I care about. I only hope I’ve provided as much inspiration as I’ve gotten.
-Julie Burgener
Life Coach, Tolmao Coaching
See Julie and Kenia talk about their mentorship experience on the WGN Morning News.
