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The 2025 Mentorship Program at French & Parrello Associates (FPA) concluded last week with a graduation ceremony that celebrated not only a year of growth, but the relationships and confidence the mentees developed along the way. As the fourth group to graduate from this program, this year’s mentees continued FPA’s commitment to supporting early-career professionals by pairing up with experienced mentors who offered guidance, perspective, and steady encouragement throughout the year.

The 2025 group met regularly with their mentors one-on-one, creating space for meaningful conversations about career goals, navigating workplace challenges, and building the soft skills that support long-term success. Mentees and mentors also gathered monthly for group presentations led by technical experts and senior staff. These sessions covered topics such as communication, leadership, ethical practice, and the evolving engineering industry, giving participants a broader view of how their roles fit into the bigger picture at FPA.

For many graduates, the sense of community formed during these meetings was just as impactful as the lessons themselves. In addition to providing space for mentees to ask questions and gain perspective, the “monthly group sessions allowed me to connect with my peers across the company, something that I don’t always have the opportunity to do,” said Holly McCarthy, FPA Marketing Coordinator and 2025 Mentorship Program graduate.

At the graduation ceremony, mentors spoke about the growth they witnessed in their mentees, from increased confidence to stronger collaboration skills and a willingness to take initiative. Mentees reflected on how the program helped them feel more connected to colleagues they might not otherwise interact with and helped provide “big picture” knowledge about the company and industry. Many expressed that the support they received this year will continue to guide them long after the program has ended.

While this year’s program has officially wrapped, the bonds formed between mentors and mentees will carry forward, strengthening FPA’s culture of collaboration and continuous learning.