Building Connections: Mindy Niland's Metro Social Club Story
What inspired you to start the Metro Social Club, and what was your vision when it first began?
Because of the success of our travel training team, our waiting list has grown. This is both a positive and a negative development. To address this, we organize monthly group trips to help our trainees learn travel training skills while they wait to become full-fledged travel trainers. These trips also provide an opportunity for the trainees to practice their skills in a real-world setting.
One of the main goals of our 1:1 travel training session is to help students learn how to independently ride buses and metros. By taking monthly trips to places like Dunn Loring or Franconia Metro, our trainees can practice their travel skills in a safe and controlled environment. This allows them to gain confidence and experience, which can be a significant boost to their overall travel skills.
In addition to helping our trainees develop their travel skills, these trips also foster friendships and build relationships outside of the program. I’ve seen students form strong bonds with each other and even make plans to meet up outside of the trips. These friendships can be a valuable asset for our trainees, as they can provide support and encouragement as they continue to develop their travel skills.
While these trips can be enjoyable, such as going to the movies or the zoo, the ultimate goal is to help our trainees learn travel training skills. These trips are not just about having fun; they are a way to motivate our trainees to learn how to transport themselves to the activities they enjoy. Additionally, these trips can help our trainees develop other important skills, such as budgeting and time management.
What has been the most rewarding moment or success story you've seen come out of the Metro Social Club?
My favorite moment was when I witnessed some individuals forming a couple and using the metro to go on a date to the movies. Another memorable moment was when one of our regulars, who doesn’t drive, takes the metro to come on a monthly basis. He engages in conversations with other members outside of our group. It’s heartwarming to observe the growth of these relationships and see how they flourish independently without any interference from me.
Outside of work and the club, what are some of your favorite hobbies or ways to spend your free time?
Outside of work, I love being outdoors and taking my dog, Rex, to this dog park and coffee place. It’s fun to watch him play. I enjoy reading my favorite genres are romance and thrillers. I also love watching poorly acted Lifetime movies with predictable plots. I also enjoy Marvel and DC movies. I listen to true crime podcasts and just drive around in my car listening to music. I’m working on crocheting, but I’m really bad at it right now.
If you could plan a dream Metro Social Club outing with no budget limits, what would it be and why?
Several students expressed their desire to take the Amtrak train from Lorton to Stanford, Florida, to visit Disney World or the Orlando Studios. Others have always wanted to take the train down to New York City to see a musical.
What's one fun fact about yourself that most of your coworkers might not know?
Outside of work, I manage Rex’s TikTok and Instagram pages. I’m envious because he has approximately 800 followers.
