“This is a pivotal point in young people’s lives, and I find it very rewarding to help students navigate it.”
Meet Adrienne MacGuffie. For four semesters, she has served Fellows at San Francisco State University as a Braven Leadership Coach and Mock Interviewer.
Her reason for volunteering starts with her own story. “I think it is vitally important for students to start thinking very pragmatically about their career while in college, and then actually begin preparing for their career and finding jobs. I did not have that opportunity as a young person, and as a result, I flopped around and wasted years before I got on my ‘path.’” Now, she helps students find theirs sooner, especially those who might not have the mentorship or resources at home.
For Adrienne, giving back is also a stage of life. “They say that people go through three stages in life: ‘learn, earn, and return,’” she explains. “I am at the ‘return’ stage. I feel the intense need to ‘give back.’ Braven is one of the organizations that help me fulfill that purpose.” Volunteering keeps her learning, too, with fresh approaches to the job search.
That purpose shapes how she sees opportunity. What stands out most is how Fellows seize it. “I have been so impressed by so many students in terms of how they grab this ‘opportunity’ — navigating work, challenging home situations, health problems and other issues — to finish college and pursue a professional career. They are willing to sacrifice for the ultimate goal. I have the utmost respect for them.”
The Fellows have given her something in return. “They have inspired me,” she reflects. “It’s also reassuring to know that, despite the rise of AI, I have found that young people continue to be creative, adept at critical thinking and intellectually curious, which will serve them well.”
The most meaningful part has been connecting with them across age and generational differences, and understanding their challenges and mindsets along the way. “It has also been a lot of fun!”
Her advice to Fellows is what she tells her younger self: “Get clear on what YOU want, not what others tell you that you should do. Then take every risk in the book. Do not be afraid. Trust and be positive, keep your eye on the goal, and all good will come to you. Relax and enjoy every period of your life. Exhibit unerring integrity, even if it will hurt in the short run. It will pay off in the long run.”
Thank you, Adrienne, for leading with integrity, celebrating our Fellows’ determination, and showing us what it looks like to ‘return’ to the work that matters.
