Assisting Penn's LGBT students as they prepare for life outside the University is one of PennGALA's major goals. Our diverse membership, working in a wide range of careers and living all over the United States and abroad, has a wealth of expertise to share with students in Penn's undergraduate and graduate schools. Penn students learn from our members about different career paths, issues around coming out in the workplace, the living climate for LGBT people in different cities and communities, and more. By reaching out to today's Penn students in this way, we hope to help them make a smoother transition to the next phase of their lives — as well as getting them involved with PennGALA even before they take their degrees.
Our Mentoring effort sponsors a range of programs for students, including group question-and-answer sessions on campus every spring and fall (in conjunction with Homecoming and Alumni Weekend) and small-group dinners with PennGALA members, organized around career themes, held in Philadelphia throughout the academic year. Hundreds of Penn students have drawn upon the experience and expertise of our members since the inception of this effort in 2003. For more information and to get involved in this important and rewarding program, please contact Tom Hier, WG'85, co-chair of our mentoring outreach program, at hier@biddhier.com.
In addition, PennGALA is an active supporter of the Penn Alumni Career Network (PACNet), a database of alumni who have volunteered to answer career-related questions for all Penn students as well as for fellow alumni. PennGALA members who join this network serve as mentors to the Penn community by providing helpful advice about career paths, education, and their current professional activities. PennGALA members who wish to volunteer for the Penn Alumni Career Network will find complete details and a registration link on the Career Services homepage.
