Beyond Belen

One hundred seventy students participated in this year’s Beyond Belen event on December 9 in the Codina Courtyard located adjacent to the Our Lady of Belen Chapel. Hosted by the Office of Career Development and in collaboration with the Alumni Office, students were paired with 90 alumni mentors based on their desired career path.

The Beyond Belen, Mentoring and Networking Program was initiated in 2018 and since then has taken a leap forward in participation from both students and alumni alike. Additionally, this is the second year juniors have been invited to participate, and more of an emphasis is being placed on the understanding that Beyond Belen is a professional networking opportunity and an introduction to what our Alumni Association is all about - the brotherhood.

“The professional networking aspect is incredibly important for these young men. They not only need to hear the phrase often, but they also need to experience and embrace it,” said Claudia Basso, Career Development Coordinator. “Most of these students have never had the opportunity to speak with a person about their educational or career goals, and Beyond Belen takes them there, completely out of their comfort zone.”

In the past, students were told about the importance of the program and how they needed to become involved, but they were not thoroughly educated on how to ask engaging questions and understand the value of leaving a good first impression. Now, students are given a more thorough preparation and clear expectations are laid out.

“For the last four years, Beyond Belen has created a positive impact on the school’s campus,” said Carlos Bravo, ‘86 Alumni Association Executive Director. “This year’s event involved not only the largest number of student participation in the program, but also the most alumni mentors, each of whom took time out of their workday to meet their mentees personally.”

The behind-the-scenes coordination of the pairing process is intricate and tedious. The team, spearheaded by Claudia Basso, included Carlos Bravo ‘86 and Carlos Jiménez ‘15, Kevin García ‘23, and Daniel Real ‘24 (chairpersons for their respective classes). The meetings were engaging and informative as they sorted and read through student surveys to ensure each student was paired based on career interests, future goals, and sometimes even personalities.

“This aspect of the pairing process goes almost unnoticed but is essential to developing the student-alumnus relationship,” said Kevin García ‘23.

Through the Beyond Belen Program, a mentorship relationship is formed. These alumni mentors understand what they are being called to do and will be there to support, advise and guide their mentees throughout their educational and career paths. Mentors leave their doors open with the opportunity to contact them when mentees are ready to do so. Beyond Belen is a testament to the Belen brotherhood and a program that will continue to enhance that culture.

For more information on the Beyond Belen Program or ways to become more involved with our Career Development Office, email Mrs. Basso at cbasso@belenjesuit.org.