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Quiz: Can You Bust These 7 Sustainability Myths?

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Giving Back the T-Mobile Way

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Not sure where to begin to reclaim your power of the purse? It’s not as hard as you may think, thanks in part to some digital tools you can access right from your phone.

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“A big piece of our job as a money coach is celebrating the small steps that lead to the bigger changes and milestones,” says Chad Wolfe, a money coach and student loan specialist at the <a href="https://www.mysecureadvantage.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">My Secure Advantage</a> program.

The financial gurus at MSA have been helping T-Mobile employees through the company’s wellbeing website&nbsp;<a href="https://livemagenta.com/">LiveMagenta</a>, which offers everything from physical and mental health services, as well as MSA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Money%20Coaching%20through%20My%20Secure%20Advantage%20%28MSA%29">financial wellness coaching</a>. The experts at MSA know their numbers and we’d let them balance our checkbook any day.&nbsp;

Chad says he works on financial fundamentals, like budgeting, debt and credit with clients, but that making use of today’s digital finance tools is a great way to automate and incorporate financial literacy into your everyday life.&nbsp;

“I love that technology has allowed us to be able to pull up our budgeting app in a grocery store or at the mall to see how that potential purchase fits into your plan,” he says. “And we have more information readily available so we can do better or feel more in control of our money rather than having our money controlling us.”

He has some tips on how to begin the process of getting your finances in fighting shape, and even what digital tools you can access right from your mobile device on your path to financial zen.&nbsp;

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“Money can be a very difficult subject for some people,” says Chad. “That can be especially true when it comes to debt.”&nbsp;

But there are ways you can start the work towards alleviating the strain it causes. Experts like Chad encourage manageable exercises like finding a small debt that doesn’t seem too daunting to tackle and to build up your confidence by eliminating that first within a projected timeline. He says you can also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesmoneyteam/2021/11/08/6-ways-your-smartphone-can-make-you-smarter-financially/?sh=761e0fa3e983">download apps</a>&nbsp;like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.qoins.com/">Qoins</a>, which are designed to help you eradicate specific debts as quick as possible by saving small amounts every day and using those savings to make extra monthly payments. The app asks users to connect checking accounts and to choose their preferred savings method – things like rounding up their credit card purchases and putting aside the change and transferring those savings to your connected debt account for payment.&nbsp;

“I've worked with a lot of people who feel tracking is a big piece of building a budget,” says Chad, “especially if they’re new to it or not that comfortable so it helps to hold those dollars accountable towards their goal or helps them to make different decisions to stay on track.”

Now that you’re on the way to being debt free, it’s time to scale for the future with a budget to get you there. But not everything feels like it’s within our control when it comes to financial planning.

“Given our current economic climate and the fact interest rates have been going up, we’ve noticed it’s prompted some phone calls to our organization,” says Chad. “So be sure when it comes to your budget, name it and claim it to set yourself up for success.”&nbsp;

Even if you begin by carving out a small emergency savings to start, make sure you’re looking at the total income, other responsibilities or needs, and trying to pepper in some wants. Then consider setting that up through a payroll deduction to prioritize that savings.&nbsp;

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One way to do this easily is digitally. Chad says many people have become familiar with apps like&nbsp;<a href="https://mint.intuit.com/">Mint</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.quicken.com/simplifi/ppc/brand_test?utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_campaign=brand_usa_exact&amp;adgroup=simplifi&amp;utm_term=simplifi%20app&amp;utm_targetid=aud-1537695751594:kwd-867822066958&amp;utm_matchtype=e&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAk--dBhABEiwAchIwka3GebftkPhcZqUiy8tQ6-dYOYUIqNNHLJ_gwQdlBBsLV_wpaHNckRoCDEcQAvD_BwE">Simplifi (from Quicken)</a>&nbsp;because they let you to connect your bank accounts and credit cards, putting your transactions on its dashboard and organizing them into budget categories. You can input a savings goal and these apps will show you how much you need to contribute and how often. You can also tell it how much of your budget you want to contribute to a certain category like grocery shopping and it will alert you when you’re getting close to or overshooting that budget Some apps, like&nbsp;<a href="https://signup.rocketmoney.com/subscriptions/?wpsrc=Google%20AdWords&amp;wpcid=15503970865&amp;wpsnetn=g&amp;wpkwn=truebill%20app&amp;wpkmatch=p&amp;wpcrid=616646863668&amp;wpscid=142969139009&amp;wpkwid=kwd-534993285117&amp;utm_source=AdWords&amp;utm_campaign=15503970865&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_content=616646863668&amp;utm_term=truebill%20app&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAk--dBhABEiwAchIwkc_R7G6IjnXD28evUmKWL2iZvrUYE1c8Sz6Xo9Eqtbhrr8ulixW6exoC64AQAvD_BwE">Rocket Money</a>, even help you locate wasteful spending by identifying all of your subscriptions, including those you may not even realize you’re still signed up for.&nbsp;

Chad says don’t forget to review your existing bills and accounts and make sure they align with your new budget. If it’s something that detracts you from your goals, it’s worth considering an alternative. And in the spirit of giving customers choices, T-Mobile’s new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/un-carrier-move-phone-freedom">Go5G Plus</a>&nbsp;Plan packs over $270 in added value for families – with things like Apple TV+ and Netflix included in the plan. There’s also free in-flight Wi-Fi where available and free high-speed data abroad in 215+ destinations (meaning people can stay connected in the air and the minute they’re off the plane). Finding a wireless plan that includes perks most people already pay for out of pocket is another way to save money in the long run when reconsidering how to create and make good on a new budget.&nbsp;

You may be too young to actually imagine the day you retire, but many&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.massmutual.com/post/2023-financial-wellness-plan">financial professionals</a>&nbsp;suggest you keep it in mind as early as possible. Some suggest contributing from 10 to 20 percent of your salary each year to it. No surprise that there’s a plethora of apps to help you invest in you by investing in the market!&nbsp;<a href="https://www.betterment.com/investing?gclid=CjwKCAiAk--dBhABEiwAchIwkZFd7phtUn7-xBVnukg6XAVSOnXdjNrp7z2zgZ12wd8Lfjj6le1tYRoCo90QAvD_BwE">Betterment</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.acorns.com/">Acorns</a>&nbsp;are just a few examples of popular mobile apps out there today that help people invest with ease. Each has its own niche for creating customizable investment plans, often by linking to your spending accounts and automatically taking funds through round ups on your purchases or deposits on a specified weekly or monthly basis so you can set it and forget it.&nbsp;

Try to align programs you’re signed up for so they work together. “I get to play a fun part in helping to delegate some of the benefit integration with things like retirement plan options,” he says.

As Chad pointed out already, interest rates have been rising, which is costing borrowers more but the positive side of that is interest rates on a lot of the high yield savings accounts are going up too. Says Chad: “There's an opportunity to do a little bit more and have that money work harder for you.”

Build an emergency fund: Experts recommend having three to six months of living expenses saved in an emergency fund to help you weather unexpected financial emergencies, such as a job loss or a major medical expense.Pay down debt: If you have high-interest debt, such as credit card debt or a personal loan, try to make paying it down a priority, no matter how small of steps you take. This can help you save money in interest charges and free up more money in your monthly budget.Fund an IRA: Contributing to an IRA can help you save for retirement and may also provide a tax deduction for traditional IRA contributions. For 2023 the contribution limit for traditional and Roth IRAs was $6,000, or $7,000 if you are 50 or older.Fund an HSA: If you have a high-deductible health plan, you may be eligible to contribute to an HSA. HSAs offer tax benefits, including tax-deductible contributions and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. For 2022, the contribution limit for individuals was $3,650, or $4,650 if you are 55 or older.Invest in yourself: Whether it’s taking a class or workshop to develop new skills or pursuing a hobby that you have always wanted to try, investing in yourself can provide personal and professional growth, which can pay off in the long run.

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A money coach for T-Mobile employees shows you how a little planning and your trusty mobile device can help get you on top of your finances.

Let Your Device Help You Get Financially Fit - T-Mobile Newsroom

I was honored to deliver a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/Jo0wGrkv84s?feature=share&amp;t=2821">commencement speech</a> June 4 at the <a href="https://foster.uw.edu/">University of Washington’s Foster School of Business</a> undergraduate graduation ceremony. What an incredible day to celebrate with the amazing, determined and resilient graduates of the Class of 2023! They persevered to reach this important milestone despite a once-in-a-generation pandemic that changed everything about how we learned, worked and lived life.

Looking out at their faces, what struck me the most is that change is upon them again. From this moment on, no one is prescribing their path for them or what success will look like. So, I was excited to put myself in their shoes and offer up some advice I’ve grown to live by in my career, along with some real-world advice that they don’t teach you in college!

Good afternoon, everyone! Thank you for the great introduction, Dean Hodge. Graduates, and your families and supporters, thank you for giving us a reason to come together to celebrate today — and congratulations!

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I remember sitting in your chair. You’re probably feeling ALL the emotions: Excited. Proud. Relieved. Nervous. Maybe a little Uncertain. (By the way, if you put yourself out there, those nervous feelings never go away — I’m pretty sure I just experienced them again stepping up here today!)

Preparing for this day took me back to my own graduation milestone … and how it feels. And I realized this, right here, today — is the first time in our lives no one is telling us what comes next, or even how to define our own success.

Think about it: Up until now, 11th grade followed 10th grade. Senior year followed junior year. There were even specific steps you had to take to be successful, like to gain admission to the incredible Foster School at the University of Washington. And once you were here, you completed every prescribed requirement to make it to graduation day.

Other people told you what success looked like. OTHER people decided YOUR success criteria. Get good grades, good scores, get involved in your school community, maybe pursue athletics or the arts. Pass each grade with success in these areas, and progress to the next. Year after year until this very moment.

Now, in a few short minutes, they’re gonna open those doors, release us into the world, and for the first time in your lives, there’s no path. There’s no prescribed definition of success. It’s COMPLETELY up to you. Your adult post-graduate life is a completely blank sheet of paper with no boxes on it to check off.

It’s exhilarating and sort of daunting all at the same time, isn’t it? I felt it when I graduated for sure, but also SO many times during my career. This feeling of not knowing the path ahead never goes away, so you might as well get used to it — and even learn to embrace it!

I know I felt it again when I joined T-Mobile almost 11 years ago. Back then, T-Mobile was a struggling #4 provider in the U.S. and was rapidly shrinking. It was a company without a clear path ahead. Seems like a great time to join a company, huh? I got there and thought, I really know how to pick ’em, you know?

I distinctly remember that feeling of, “OK, so what the heck do we do now?” during a time when very little that was happening was working. We knew we needed to make some changes pretty fast. So, what did we do?

We got curious. We listened to customers who were angry at our whole industry, and we made some big changes to show them we’d be a company that would put them first — in an industry famous for the opposite back then. We took smart risks and made some audacious moves. Fast forward just one decade, and we’ve gone from a distant #4 in the U.S.A. to, at the end of last year, the world’s largest telecommunications company of any kind by market cap. It’s been just a remarkable journey, and you know what?

We got here by constantly asking two simple questions that probably apply to each of us sitting here today. The questions are: “What if?” and “Why not?” What if? And why not? WHAT IF we eliminated data buckets and went all-in on Unlimited plans? WHY NOT give customers a free thank-you every single Tuesday with T-Mobile Tuesdays? What IF we allowed customers to roam with their phones worldwide for free?

And in providing ourselves the answers, we figured out what we were good at — which is loving customers and changing an industry in their favor — then doubled down on it. Love is a funny word for a company to use. But it applies, because we put ourselves out there, hoping customers would reciprocate and love us back. And it has worked out pretty well so far.

And today, as graduates, you’re at a similar crossroads. For the first time, you have the complete freedom to ask “What if” and “Why not” every day, to chart your course, and to define what success looks like to YOU.

Now, some of you might already have a sense of where you’re initially headed — you have accepted a job, you might be getting involved in the community, you might be pursuing another degree, or you might be looking for a job. And if you’re anything like I was as a new graduate, you may not be sure you’ve made the best choice for this next chapter. Or you may not have made a choice at all, and that’s OK! What’s pretty great, and a little scary, is that the choices are yours, and yours alone, to make.

But this is a commencement speech, and that means two things. First, even though the choices ahead are all yours, I’m going to give you some pearly bits of wisdom from an old Gen Xer. And second, SINCE it’s a commencement speech, you’ll almost surely have forgotten those pearly bits by tomorrow.

So, I revert to, “Hey listen, it’s up to you, just follow your gut.” Well actually, that’s if your gut is curious about what you are good at. Because my real advice is to follow your competence. That’s my first pearly shiny bit of wisdom. Follow your competence. Figure out what you enjoy, because you are good at it, and then do more of it. I’ll come back to that one.

The second? Don’t worry about it. Really. If you are wondering if your first thing out of school will take you in the right direction, I’m here to tell you not to sweat it. Because the journey is all about figuring it out.

Try to remember this for the sake of your own mental health. You can spend the entire next decade exploring what you enjoy doing — and what you are good at — and still not fall behind. I know, I know, we’re all type-A business students who overthink everything. But I mean it. We all put so much pressure on ourselves and think, man, this first thing right out of school … right now … is going to determine the whole road ahead. I better get this exactly right. And you know what? It’s just not the case.

There are SO many examples to back me up on this. Successful people who discovered their thing in their 30s and 40s. Today, you already have a solid sense of your own strengths and what you like doing … and your first step will help reaffirm that. But if not, you’ll just try again … and that’s OK, too!

Now let me go back to following your competence. Some people may tell you to just “follow your passions,” but I think that’s only part of the answer, because we often learn our passions over time.

Here’s the thing — I know people who are really great tax attorneys. Do you think they were passionate about taxes in college? I started my career marketing toothpaste. Let me tell you, I didn’t go into toothpaste because it was my passion. I went into it because I had a sense that I might be GOOD AT — and enjoy — marketing, and the company I went to was an ideal place to develop marketing skills. I’m pretty sure the best tax attorneys are people who discovered that the math and logic of it, or the client advocacy, were things they could thrive in. And you know what? Thriving is enjoyable. Most people I know who have found true career satisfaction have discovered something they’re good at. They have followed their competence. And it became a passion.

When we do more of the stuff we’re good at, we find ourselves getting better and better. We feel satisfied. We get positive feedback from others. This opens doors, and the potential for a cycle of success and satisfaction follows. That’s what following your competence is all about.

But here’s the asterisk (because there are always asterisks in life!): I’m not saying we should shy away from things outside of our comfort zones. We don’t always find our competence and true skills by playing it safe. So … take risks, try things. And remember to ask “What if” and “Why not?” a lot!

In 2011, I threw myself into flying airplanes and seaplanes just because it was a challenge, and I suspected it might be something I’d be able to get good at and enjoy. The whole appeal of it was that it was hard, at least at first. Some people pursue golf for the same reason, although why, I have no idea.

SO, yeah, take risks, try things, be curious, and along the way, my advice is this: Pay attention to what you find you’re good at. Your competence. Develop those skills. Invest in them. Not just because it might bring you success, but because it might bring you joy.

Now that we’ve covered my two main pearly bits of wisdom, I have some practical, real-world bits to share, too. I’m calling them my “10 partially plagiarized nuggets” from the so-called wisdom of my 54 years. Ready?

At a buffet, the salad’s always first. It’s a trap. Don’t fall for it. They want to fill your plate with cheap lettuce. Hold out for the good stuff.

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When someone offers to shake your hand, stand up, and look them in the eye. It’s a simple sign of respect. That’s one of my favorites.

If you are panic flossing and brushing the night before your dentist appointment, you’re doing it wrong.

If you have drinks with co-workers, drink less than the boss. I learned that one the hard way in my 20s.

Sunscreen sucks. Wear it anyway. I learned that one the hard way in my 40s.

If someone cooks for you, do the dishes or help with them. You’ll be amazed how far this one takes you. Or so I’m told.

If you ask someone their name, and this one’s hard, I know, actually listen to their answer. Crazy, right?

Make your bed. I’m not kidding. There’s a whole speech on this one. You can Google it. But seriously, make your bed. It starts your day off right.

Be curious. Listen to this hack: Ask people about themselves, and then follow up with more genuine questions when they answer. You’ll be amazed how far this one simple trait can take you.

Finally, if someone offers you a mint, go ahead and take it. You’re welcome.

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And here’s one for the parents. Fire your kids from your wireless plans this very afternoon, before they suck your bank accounts dry! Don’t worry though, graduates, T-Mobile is here for you with open arms!

OK everyone, I hope my main points struck a chord. Follow your competence: You’ll find you enjoy and thrive at the things you are good at. And second: Don’t worry about it too much right now. You’ll be fine. Give yourself a break — you aren’t falling behind, you’ll figure it out, and sometimes it just takes a few tries at asking “What if” and “Why not?” So, walk out those doors at the end of this session and chart your own course, and define your own version of success. I can’t wait to see where the “what ifs” and “why nots” take you.

T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert addressed the 2023 undergraduates of the University of Washington's Foster School of Business, sharing his pearly bits of wisdom and some nuggets of practical advice.

Commencement 2023: Follow Your Competence, Don’t Worry About It … And Take the Mint - T-Mobile Newsroom

In 2021, T-Mobile Stories&nbsp;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Fnews%2Fcommunity%2Femployee-spotlight-proud-to-be-pride-2021&amp;data=05%7C01%7CJason.Adams217%40T-Mobile.com%7Cd057f5126eac47ebb74308db5afdb986%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C638203818002887606%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=cj4YQe0jLLDD5yBjUHOj5iRMgdPaOlC10y6o1%2BtZ6SQ%3D&amp;reserved=0">introduced you to Joe Richards, the employee and artist</a>&nbsp;behind a companywide community photo project entitled “Proud to Be,” which invited employees to visually showcase who they are and how they are embracing that identity during Pride Month.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftmobile-newsroom.wistia.com%2Fmedias%2Fbzowo9c8tc&amp;data=05%7C01%7CJason.Adams217%40T-Mobile.com%7Cd057f5126eac47ebb74308db5afdb986%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C638203818002887606%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=8Wmq89H0VxlOkBqIlFkM8Gh%2FcrMp4vl0TTtT8GS%2F57Q%3D&amp;reserved=0">video interview</a>,&nbsp;Joe explained why he first created the participatory photo project six years ago at the Charleston Customer Experience Center where he was a Customer Resolution Expert, and served as the lead for the company’s Pride Employee Resource Group in the local Diversity, Equity &amp; Inclusion chapter. While Pride season offers members of the LGBTQ+ community a moment to advocate and celebrate their identities together,&nbsp;Joe told us he&nbsp;was inspired by T-Mobile’s year-round “Be You” motto to search for a way to open up Pride — and the experience of being “seen” — to everyone. (The company is also embracing the motto “Stronger Together” for this Pride Month, a perfect accompaniment to Joe’s ongoing “Proud to Be” project.)

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With the simple directive to employees to write down what they’re proud to be on a chalkboard,&nbsp;Joe&nbsp;captured dozens of inspiring photographs of smiling sign-bearers and built an art installation to display them in the call center. T-Mobile supported Joe’s vision and two years ago helped him bring the project to a companywide scale by offering an internal virtual platform for employees all around the country to upload their “Proud to Be” images. From humble beginnings, with 44 people participating that first year, the project saw more than 200 people participate by 2020. Now a Mobile Expert in Charleston,&nbsp;Joe&nbsp;says watching his art evolve and take space alongside T-Mobile’s own growth these last few years has been incredible.

Here we will share even more of what T-Mobile employees are saying this year as they participate in the 2023 installation of the art project, by showcasing new images and video of the many who are submitting their “Proud to Be” statements throughout the month.

P.S. If you watched the video above, you know the first day of Pride Month is also Joe’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Joe!

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Check back every week throughout June to see new and updated images and videos from those who have submitted their own “Proud to Be” moments. Any questions? Email us at: <a href="mailto:Stories-Tools@T-Mobile.com">Stories-Tools@T-Mobile.com</a>

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This Pride Month, T-Mobile's companywide community photo project is being showcased to the public, and inviting everyone to participate.

See Why We Are Proud to Be (Updated 6/5) - T-Mobile Newsroom

As Guam is dealing with the impact of the strongest storm the island has experienced in over 20 years, T-Mobile is providing support to customers who need to stay connected to friends and family during this critical time.

Starting today, May 24 through May 30, 2023, T-Mobile is waiving international long-distance and SMS texts to and from Guam for T-Mobile, and Sprint postpaid consumer and business customers, T-Mobile Prepaid, Metro by T-Mobile and Assurance Wireless customers.

We will also waive international roaming, data and calls between Guam and the U.S for T-Mobile and Sprint postpaid customers and prepaid. As a reminder, customers with Simple Global have free unlimited data and SMS texts in Guam. 

If you need assistance or have questions about your service, please reach out to us by calling 611 or 1-800-937-8997 from your handset and we will be happy to help.

As Guam is dealing with the impact of the strongest storm the island has experienced in over 20 years, T-Mobile is providing support to customers who need

T-Mobile Offers Aid Following Typhoon Mawar in Guam - T-Mobile Newsroom

T-Mobile Offers Aid Following Typhoon Mawar in Guam

When April Ryan applied to work with the team that is in charge of communicating how T-Mobile is mobilizing for communities during times of crises, securing the promotion wasn’t just a professional ambition. It’s an extremely personal one as well.

“I was an Experience Manager on the Social Media Care team that was responsible for making sure our frontline was prepared with resources to answer questions for our upcoming launches, announcements, and exciting events,” says April. “Thanks to my time with such a wonderful team, I was given the opportunity to work further with Corporate Communications. After a decade at the company, I’m now a communications manager that amplifies the work T-Mobile is doing for those in need during natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires, as well as for those in personal crisis as well. That would include resources like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/t-mobile-makes-988-emergency-lifeline-available-to-customers">the 988 hotline</a>. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and four years ago my younger brother Kevin died by suicide. I want to get the word out about his story in the hopes of preventing this from happening to other families.”

We spoke with April about her experience with depression through her brother’s struggle, as well as her own following his death, and how working both personally and professionally to raise awareness for 988 is a way for her to honor his memory and the recent anniversary of his passing by helping others suffering from mental health issues.

May is Military Appreciation Month as well as Mental Health Awareness Month. Can you tell us why each is important to you in honoring your brother?

Kevin was the youngest sibling of all three of us. He was the wild child of the family and he brought so much laughter and energy into any room that he walked into. He was amazingly brave. It was really no surprise to any of us when he joined the Navy at 18 after high school. He wanted to be the best he could be and help other people. Kevin also had struggled with depression for most of his life prior to joining the military. It was something that he did not like to talk about because he enjoyed bringing joy to other people.

While I knew that my brother struggled for a long time, I had never personally experienced anything to the degree that he went through daily. After his death, though, I got a taste of it and it’s not something that I recognized for what it was at first. He was only 25 years old. I was only 29. I had never set up a funeral before. Talking about mental health in the same way we openly talk about physical health is so important because depression can kill you if you do not seek treatment.

Can you explain what 988 is and why you think it can be such a vital resource for those in need of help?

I’m a survivor of suicide loss and there are more of us out there than people realize, as suicide is the&nbsp;<a href="https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/">12th leading cause of death in the U.S. currently, with an average 130 suicides per day</a>. The 988 Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline is an emergency hotline. When you dial 988 you’re connected directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of approximately 180 local- and state-funded crisis centers staffed 24/7 by professionally trained counselors to help if you’re in crisis.&nbsp;

It’s an amazing resource launched initially for calls in 2020, and then last year it was announced that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/988-free-mental-health-services">you can text to receive the same benefits</a>. I think of my brother, who was a notorious texter and not a phone caller. I am very proud that T-Mobile offers this all free of charge to its customers and I want more people to know. I want 988 to be as familiar as 911. My role in corporate communications is to inform the media to help spread that word to everyone who may need it, either in the moment or in the future. We need to bring this up often, to reach the people who struggle day to day and perhaps hide it or mask that struggle like my brother did.&nbsp;

What else would you like people to know about Kevin, and even your own story?

They say grief after loss never goes away, right? Four years later, I’m still trying to find ways to cope with that grief. But getting stronger at handling it over time.

I started to ask myself, what would Kevin want? I didn’t always have those answers so I felt I had to start asking myself what I would want, because this is my story too.

As I continued on in my career I knew I wanted to join the corporate communications world and when I learned that they are central to getting the word out for the 988 response I said, “That’s how I can help.” It’s something that I can be proud of and know that my work makes an impact.

I was telling my husband about doing this interview and I asked him what he thought my brother would say about it. My brother was a tall man, like six-foot-three inches, and he would often give me an endearing pat me on the head like a small child whenever he was proud of me. My husband said that my brother would probably pat me on the head. And I knew then that I was making the right decision.

My brother was the kind of person who would give you the shoes off his feet. Depression was a lifelong struggle for Kevin, but even at one of his lowest points when he was hospitalized, he still sought to help others, often visiting rooms just to give companionship and lend a listening ear. And while living up to the role model that he set for me, I’m going to do my best to try.

In 2020, T-Mobile became the first major wireless provider to make the <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/t-mobile-makes-988-emergency-lifeline-available-to-customers">988 emergency lifeline </a>immediately available to its customers, which offers real-time mental health services.Calling 988 connects customer to free mental health services from professionally trained counselors at the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, now the 988 Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline. In 2022, T-Mobile announced that those customers can also <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/988-free-mental-health-services">text for that same critical support</a>, too.Studies show that those who reached out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline were significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking with a counselor. This service, available to any T-Mobile, Sprint, Metro by T-Mobile and Assurance Wireless customer, removes barriers to accessing help.

A T-Mobile employee shares her personal story of loss, in the hopes of raising awareness about the 988 emergency lifeline for mental health services.

“I Want 988 to Be as Familiar as 911” - T-Mobile Newsroom

At the start of Magenta Giving Month in April, my colleague, Jon Freier, President of T-Mobile's Consumer Group, asked a question: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Fnews%2Fcommunity%2Fgiving-back-the-t-mobile-way&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBrandon.Black25%40T-Mobile.com%7Ccfb2921edf884073c03a08db5322d9bf%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C638195181374060636%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=UC8WZ6UoFp59b0EXFOkpGrVa8PBxMh5%2FZi9fkkMrRwQ%3D&amp;reserved=0">What kind of impact will T-Mobile employees make in a single month?</a> We now have a definitive answer—A huge one!

Nationwide, T-Mobile employees rallied together all month long, contributing over 16,000 volunteer hours to philanthropic pursuits, and donating to causes near and dear to their hearts. Using $23 in seed funding from the T-Mobile Foundation, more than 26,000 employees gave over $600,000 to 7,041 causes from education and health care initiatives to environmental conservation and more. That’s nearly 40% of employees who found a way to participate! And just as impressive, matching from the T-Mobile Foundation helped raise nearly $2 million during Magenta Giving Month for thousands of nonprofits. 

True to the Un-carrier philosophy, we acted as One Team, Together as a force for good in communities around the country. That kind of impact is incredible! 

From coast to coast, Team Magenta showed how ingrained community service is in T-Mobile’s DNA:

Bellevue, Wash. Employees created alphabet flashcard sets for <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flovelettersliteracy.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBrandon.Black25%40T-Mobile.com%7Ccfb2921edf884073c03a08db5322d9bf%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C638195181374060636%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=uKQl54pn9KUlzOYZkIpQc5ZAL6J%2FcU6VgKoSBzGTEF0%3D&amp;reserved=0">Love Letters for Literacy.</a> The organization promotes early childhood literacy to children across the country and world.

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Snohomish, Wash. Team Magenta dirtied their shoes and broke a sweat while planting 730 trees on Farmer Frog’s property. <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffarmerfrog.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBrandon.Black25%40T-Mobile.com%7Ccfb2921edf884073c03a08db5322d9bf%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C638195181374060636%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=m5NiyWe5VIF37T92heEa%2FItLlpri4f5vlcFVDKthonM%3D&amp;reserved=0">Farmer Frog</a> supports over a dozen school gardens and several urban and rural community sites by transforming underutilized land into environmentally sound, food-producing farms and gardens. Each of the trees planted contributes to the restoration of the environment which will be enjoyed by future generations.

Overland Park, Kan. Employees prepared 5,200 ready-to-eat meals for needy families served by <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harvesters.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBrandon.Black25%40T-Mobile.com%7Ccfb2921edf884073c03a08db5322d9bf%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C638195181374060636%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=MdXOfdtwRESoBI6Ld%2F3%2Fe8qnvLlP%2B03v5H%2B4xMmbRVw%3D&amp;reserved=0">Harvesters</a>, a regional food bank supporting a 26-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. Access to healthy, nutritious food shouldn’t be exclusive to those with means.

Oklahoma City, Okla. Employees&nbsp;packed 1,493 pounds of food&nbsp;at the <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.regionalfoodbank.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBrandon.Black25%40T-Mobile.com%7Ccfb2921edf884073c03a08db5322d9bf%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C638195181374060636%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=cvWspKdnUeI%2Bk5USuvnwrSMGDr9d3TS8n5yGLfKh6fY%3D&amp;reserved=0">Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma</a>. With the help of a Volun-T Grant (funding comes from the T-Mobile Foundation supporting local volunteer projects that fall within the categories of&nbsp;Digital Empowerment,&nbsp;Equity in Action, and&nbsp;Sustainability) the team made a $5,000&nbsp;donation to the food bank for its efforts to fight hunger&nbsp;in 53 central and western Oklahoma counties.

Impactful Partnership Complements a Sweet Initiative

One of the most notable achievements came from our collaboration with <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cityyear.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBrandon.Black25%40T-Mobile.com%7Ccfb2921edf884073c03a08db5322d9bf%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C638195181374060636%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=jhxUwOeufPi94qCVga5cjS6H22cee3T7h5j5pc%2BG0%2Fc%3D&amp;reserved=0">City Year</a>. The organization prepares students with the social, emotional and academic skills and mindsets to succeed in school and in life. Teams in Bellevue, Wash., Overland Park, Kan., Reston, Va., and Frisco, Texas created an estimated 14,000 backpacks for local youth. These supplies and backpacks ensure students have the necessary resources to succeed in school.

At our Bellevue, Wash. headquarters, senior leadership team members served frozen yogurt to employees while raising money for the nonprofit of their choice. We called this, Froyo for Good. I worked alongside my friend and Magenta Giving Month co-sponsor, Jon Freier, dishing out frozen yogurt and toppings to employees. We had a blast raising money for our two respective nonprofits, <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paws.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBrandon.Black25%40T-Mobile.com%7Ccfb2921edf884073c03a08db5322d9bf%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C638195181374060636%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=dBEAOawkZUBz6umYLOh0%2Be%2BTeq48aLg0NX1doa5b4uE%3D&amp;reserved=0">PAWS</a> (Progressive Animal Welfare Society) and <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gems-girls.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CBrandon.Black25%40T-Mobile.com%7Ccfb2921edf884073c03a08db5322d9bf%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C638195181374060636%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=zI37mGU8aZsRX8cBZwIzPqoS7YfHFX8EoWqNBF2RSt0%3D&amp;reserved=0">Girls Educational and Mentoring Services</a> (GEMS). When the final order was served, Froyo for Good raised over $64,000 for 10 nonprofits.

I love that we’ve started a new tradition where we focus our collective giving during a single month. The results from April are nothing short of outstanding! And we’re just getting started. Why? Because at T-Mobile, giving back to the community is ingrained in our DNA. And it’s part of the solution for how we achieve our mission of being the best in the world at connecting customers to their world. It’s a legacy – and a commitment to creating a better future for generations to come – we’re proud to build!

T-Mobile employees made a massive impact in communities nationwide during Magenta Giving Month in April.

One Team, Together: T-Mobile Employees Volunteer over 16,000 Hours, Raise Nearly $2 Million, During Magenta Giving Month - T-Mobile Newsroom

One of my favorite yet most challenging opportunities coming out of our <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/ceo-mike-sievert-10-years-of-un-carrier">merger with Sprint in 2020</a> has been bringing our two companies’ distinct cultures together. Employee integration is a complicated part of any merger — imagine doing it during a socially distanced pandemic! But we know we are stronger as One Team, Together (there is a reason it’s one of our company values!), so uniting our teams has been a major priority for three years. And I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished.

In the early days of bringing our employees together as one team, we were realistic that there may be some challenges and differences to overcome and embrace. But we also learned that our teams had a tremendous amount in common, and one of those things was a passion for giving back to the communities where we live and work. This shared ethos has become a major connector for our people — and has enabled us to better operate, too.

Before we merged, T-Mobile and Sprint each had long and respected philanthropic legacies. But as a combined company, as we’ve done in so many areas because of this merger, we’ve been able to supercharge our efforts. I often said during the merger process that we would not only be a bigger company but also a better one — and I meant that.

We’ve seen firsthand how rallying around shared causes fosters connectedness, improves collaboration and leads to creative problem-solving. Our experience is consistent with research showing that social responsibility creates happier work environments. A recent <a href="https://benevity.com/talent-retention-study?utm_medium=pr&amp;utm_source=website&amp;utm_campaign=talent-retention-study">talent retention study from Benevity</a> finds 52% lower turnover among newer employees when they participate in purpose-related programs.

For example, just this past month, we designated April as “Magenta Giving Month” in response to our employees who asked for more ways to give back together, and it was nothing short of amazing! I was inspired by the big things, like seeing us pack nearly 14,000 backpacks for <a href="https://www.cityyear.org/">City Year</a> students and 5,200 ready-to-eat meals for <a href="https://www.harvesters.org/">Harvesters</a> at our office locations across the country. But the little things stood out, too — like tip jars for charitable causes by our froyo station at our headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, and spontaneous fundraising events organized by teams across the country. Magenta Giving Month proved that employee pride for who we are and how we act as a force for good in our world is stronger than ever. That feels pretty special.

But our giving culture shows up every day at the Un-carrier — not just during one month of the year. In 2022 alone, we invested over $2.2 billion as a company, and through employee giving and volunteering, to strengthen our communities. We support employee giving by matching donation dollars and volunteer hours. We provide money to new hires in their giving accounts to donate to a charity of their choice. Through our Volun-T Grants Program, all employees can apply for funding from the T-Mobile Foundation toward volunteer projects that are most personal to them. 

I’m especially humbled by our overachieving Central Valley South California team, which has more than doubled its 2023 goal of raising $10,000 for its communities. They support many great causes, including the Tulare County Special Olympics, Autism Society Ventura County, and Tulare County League of Mexican American Women, which provides access to education, leadership development, cultural enrichment and civic engagement.

It’s rewarding to see employees join causes we champion as a company, too. Take our five-year, $25 million <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/25-new-towns-selected-to-receive-t-mobile-hometown-grants-for-local-initiatives">Hometown Grants</a> initiative, which we created to fund community projects in 500 small towns across America in five years. We’ve already given more than $7.8 million to kickstart 175 projects across 41 states, and our employees regularly encourage schools, towns and organizations in the communities where they work to apply for these grants. They’re proud to be part of a company that’s helping places like Murray, Kentucky, which struggled to rebound after a 2014 fire destroyed seven buildings in the center of downtown. Their revitalization plan languished until a T-Mobile Hometown Grant helped fund <a href="https://youtu.be/p6mRPOQukQI">Imagination Alley</a>, a now active and vibrant downtown area that greets residents and visitors with colorful, wall-sized murals, comfortable places to sit and Wi-Fi access.

Another commitment that’s close to my heart — and one that our employees are eager to pitch in to help, too — is <a href="https://welcome.us/">Welcome.US</a>, a collaboration that provides supplies, training and community assistance to refugees who are transitioning to life in the U.S. This incredible organization creates smooth pathways for people rebuilding their lives in a new country, and it’s deeply moving to partner with them by providing free lines of service, as well as hiring and training support. In just six months, we distributed nearly 10,000 phones to partner organizations and Afghan and Ukrainian newcomers. Our employees see directly how essential this connectivity is in people’s day-to-day lives, and they’ve stepped up to help manage the program, serve as sponsors, and volunteer at phone activation events and hiring fairs.

At a recent Welcome.US event at the University of Washington, one of our job recruiters was able to offer a software engineering internship to an Afghan family’s son. As a result, the family has expressed hope for a better life for him — and relief that their move to the U.S. was worth it. This is the kind of meaningful difference we and other Welcome.US partners and sponsors are making in refugees’ lives.

Whether our community giving starts small or involves supporting big, nationwide initiatives, these efforts benefit T-Mobile and our employees as much as the people we help. By mobilizing as one Team Magenta, we’re giving even more of our collective time, resources and financial support to lift up others.

CEO Mike Sievert reflects on uniting two teams around a shared passion for giving back to our communities — a great connector for employees that’s led to improved collaboration and creative problem-solving.

Building a Culture of Giving - T-Mobile Newsroom

Amy Viettry learned at a young age that she’d have to largely rely on herself and her own determination if she were to blaze a trail in corporate life, and indeed life itself.

“My parents came here to America to create opportunity for me,” the T-Mobile Senior Program Manager says, “and they’ve pushed me to be successful on my own because they knew they couldn’t line up all the ducks for me.”

As the daughter of refugee immigrants from Vietnam, Amy said the language barrier was just one of many obstacles that put a lot of the responsibility on her shoulders when it came to her schooling — and impacted her career ambitions.

Yet, she’s never lost sight of the sacrifices her parents made by creating a life for her in America. Today, with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in her pocket, she is committed to trailblazing a way for others like her to succeed by leading a company program aimed at high school students looking for support with their STEM career and education goals.

“We talk about networking all the time and it’s hard when you have to start with zero network,” she explains. “I don’t have parents who can say I know someone at this college to meet with you or someone at a company I can get you an interview with. I come from a low-income family that’s supporting me and my three siblings. I couldn’t afford college, so I started working right away at 18.”

The T-Mobile Explorer Prep Program follows the company’s goal of hiring diverse early career talent in STEM fields. During the two 8-week summer internships, students can earn a professional certificate in their field of interest while gaining on the job experience.

After completing the program, students are eligible to apply for a full-time employment development role that unlocks tuition assistance for higher education. The program also provides a pathway for students to pursue higher education.

For Amy, as T-Mobile's first program manager for the Explorer Prep Program, this presents a unique opportunity for high school students to jumpstart their careers in technology.

The conventional pathway into a career after completing high school and then college, Amy explains, isn’t always the most accessible or equitable path. For her, the chance to explore an alternative was exactly what she needed to succeed and what others like her deserve.

“There are so many students that might be the first to try to go to college or who come from households that can't afford to pay for college and are fearful of going into debt from hefty student loans,” she says. “This program is there to support them. For me, this is obviously very close to my heart. I’m living proof this can work, even if it is untraditional.”

While the Explorer Prep program is currently offered at select partner schools in the Seattle and Kansas City areas, close to T-Mobile’s two headquarters, Amy hopes its early success will expand its reach to more students in need.

We spoke with Amy about how the Explorer Prep Program works and how she is using her experiences to inform its optimal inclusivity. We also spoke to one student enrolled in the program who says Amy’s story inspired her to pursue her dreams of a career in STEM.

Can you tell us a little about how growing up the child of immigrant parents has impacted you and your career choice?

My mom is Chinese and my dad is Vietnamese. Both were living in Vietnam and came over as refugees from the Vietnam War. I grew up in a low-income neighborhood, but I went to school in an affluent white neighborhood. My dad was the only source of income and worked seven days a week to provide for me and my three siblings while my mom took care of us at home. I’m so grateful because they never made me feel less privileged. I never felt like I didn't have money, I just knew that there were things that I couldn't have that other kids could.

School was a challenge because I had to do a lot of things on my own that I saw others’ parents were handling for them. I had to fill out my own FAFSA and see school counselors and get school documents to register myself for things. I’d have to comprehend it all and explain it to them. There were so many kids out there I felt that had more support and connections when it came to getting into colleges. It’s just about knowing people who can help!&nbsp;

I didn’t get my bachelor’s degree until 10 years after I graduated high school. I knew my family couldn’t afford college, especially if it was just in the hopes of figuring out what exactly I wanted to do next. I started working right away at 18 knowing that my family wouldn't be able to continue supporting me. I got a job at T-Mobile in 2012. Fast forward to 2016 and I asked myself, “Why am I not taking advantage of this tuition assistance that my company's offering?” So, I enrolled into tuition assistance and I got my bachelor’s degree in 2020.

Immediately after getting my bachelor’s degree, I enrolled in my master’s and have just graduated! It was a great opportunity for me to be able to get something later because our company offered that help. It’s one reason why The Explorer Prep Program is so close to my heart. I’m living proof this can work, even if it is untraditional.

Can you explain how the Explorer Prep Program works?

The program started in 2020 and it’s a two-consecutive summer experience program for high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in STEM. We’re starting at the high school level and it’s a great way for us to really help provide students the exposure that they’re looking for in the industry to get their minds thinking sooner. When you think back to high school, many remember having no idea what they wanted to do but they’re applying to a four-year university anyways and paying for general education classes. Students often switch majors and have no idea what a career in the field they’re pinpointing even looks like. This program caters to both the students that don’t know what they want to do and also to the students that know exactly what they want to do. Our targeted audience is simply students that might not have the means to go to college and that’s where that diversity comes in. It’s inclusive of everyone.

There are three fields that we’re looking for: software engineers, cyber security engineers and user experience designers. We’re looking to be able to build a pipeline of diverse, top talent at a younger age than college level. They join the summer of their junior year and the summer after they graduate high school. The application process goes through the schools, and my school partners review those applications and send to our recruiters, who then select 30 student candidates to come in May for what we call the Manager Match Event, which is set up like an interview. It’s all in conjunction with local colleges for them to get a two-year certification in the career track that they want to go into. And they’re paid during it all. The program is small right now with Seattle Public Schools, Edmonds School District and Kansas City Public Schools, but there’s hopes of building it out with more partner schools.

Why is this program an important disruption to the status quo when it comes to the usual paths to education and career in your opinion?

It’s an untraditional way to get into a career because it’s kind of the reverse. The traditional route is you go to high school, you do a four-year university, you get into a college internship and you cross your fingers that you’ll get a career out of it, right? This way is flipped around. You start taking college courses your senior year in high school and you start doing internships your high school summers. But it’s actually so much more focused than an internship. It’s a summer experience with a clear path towards their future.

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