Navigating a new city and a new career path as a young professional isn’t easy. That’s where Action Greensboro’s synerG steps in, a live network dedicated to growing and cultivating Greensboro’s under-40 community.
Empowering tomorrow’s leaders to grow today is what makes Sarah McGuire’s job as director so fulfilling.
But what empowered her? Her time at UNC Greensboro.
As a student in UNCG’s Master of Public Affairs program, McGuire benefitted from hands-on learning experiences and the program’s connections to the community. She says her time at UNCG equipped her with the practical tools and tactics needed to succeed in her field.
“The MPA program does a really phenomenal job of helping its students understand what a career in public administration looks like. Being fresh out of college and being able to learn and dialogue alongside working professionals who are already in the industry really enriched the experience for me.”
And thanks to a connection she made as part of an assignment in one of her classes, McGuire landed a job with the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation after graduating. While an early-career professional, she was eager to discover more about life in Greensboro, so she got involved with synerG as a member.
“Between UNCG’s MPA program and my involvement with synerG, I got a crash course on what life in Greensboro is like as a working professional. When the opportunity came up to give back to the community and share that with other young professionals as director of the organization, it was a no-brainer.”
After working at different levels of local government for 4 years, directing synerG provides McGuire with a unique way to give back to the community of Greensboro.
“There are only a handful of nonprofits across the country structured the way that Action Greensboro is. We’re a consortium of six local foundations that pool their resources together to address community needs.”
McGuire directs synerG, a program of Action Greensboro, and over 30 volunteers on a daily basis, overseeing networking events, heading committees, leading projects, and spearheading fundraising efforts with the overall mission of attracting, engaging, and connecting Greensboro’s young professionals. Through various programming, members build their resumes with transferable skills and immerse themselves in the Greensboro community to become well-rounded citizens and confident, career-ready professionals.
McGuire’s most important job duty, though, is making one-on-one connections and preparing the future leaders of Greensboro.
“At synerG, we provide young professionals with the tools and skills needed to match what companies and industries here in Greensboro need. We want to make sure that young people have what they need to successfully get the positions they want here in Greensboro. That’s really important for our workforce and our economy.”
Her advice to recent and soon-to-be Spartan graduates?
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and try new things – UNCG is the perfect place to do that because opportunities are so woven into the fabric of the community. And once you’ve graduated, don’t underestimate yourself. I can’t imagine living in a community where I don’t feel like I’m valued simply because of my perceived lack of experience, and Greensboro isn’t like that at all. Plus, UNCG has such a strong presence in the area – when you look at some of the changemakers in Greensboro, they’ve got UNCG on their resume, which makes you feel like you’re part of a bigger community. One thing I tell young professionals is if there’s something that you’re passionate about, or if there’s a career that you want to pursue, we can open a door for you. I am so grateful to the people who have done that for me along the way, so for me to be able to help others find their ‘happy place’ here in Greensboro is something really special.”
Story by Alexandra McQueen, University Communications
Photography by Martin W. Kane, University Communications
