In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past two weeks, nostalgic millennials and newcomers alike have been hitting the streets in search of Pokémon. Yes, you read that correctly… Pokémon is back and all you need is a smartphone to get in on the action and start your journey to becoming a Pokémon Master!

Since it’s launch, Pokémon Go has sent many former Pokémon stars back to their roots, revisiting old episodes of the anime series and trying desperately to locate their old GameBoy… including BBBSMB staffers! We’ve added Pokémon Go charging stations to our recruiting tables and have organized staff Pokémon outings during lunch. 

As we ran around the Boston Common, we couldn’t help but think that many Pokémon Masters would make awesome Bigs. So for fun, we put together 5 reasons why the resurgence of Pokémon trainers will have a positive impact on future Bigs. After all, being a Big is all about having fun while making a difference right?  Take a read and hopefully you’ll have as much fun as we did putting this together! Now GO- catch em’ all!

1. They’re Extremely Ambitious

Embarking on a quest to earn the title of Pokémon Master is about as ambitious as it gets for Pokémon trainers. It’s worth noting that there aren’t any clear explanations of exactly how one becomes a Pokémon Master… However, it’s widely believed that there are various ways to earn it. Whichever route they choose, whether its catching every Pokémon, defeating every gym leader or becoming a member of the Elite Four (ya we know what we’re talking about), aspiring Pokémon Masters have an insatiable drive to succeed that their Little could greatly benefit from witnessing.

2. They Can Identify Bad People/Situations

There were many villainous characters in the world of Pokémon, but none more determined to wreak havoc than Team Rocket. Joining forces with a slick-talking Meowth, Jessie and James were always hashing out poorly planned plots to take over the world (and steal Pikachu from Ash). Knowing that Team Rocket was always waiting for them to slip up, Ash & friends quickly learned how to identify suspicious characters with questionable intentions. Unfortunately, there are would-be Team Rocket members in the real world that could potentially have a negative influence on your Little, but with the support of a positive adult role-model those bad characters don’t stand a chance!

3. They Know The True Value of Friendship

Ash and Pikachu’s friendship is the definition of a #friendshipgoal. They understand each other (despite an apparent language barrier) and act as each others support system. The road to becoming a Pokémon Master is paved with adversity and challenges that would be difficult for anyone to surpass, so having friends you can depend on is a must.

Since the beginning of his journey Ash has always been accompanied by at least two pals; saying farewell to some while meeting and carrying on his journey with others. As a Big, you’re main goal should be building a solid foundation for you and your Little’s friendship to grow. Like all friendships, it takes time to really get to know each other, but eventually you’ll start realizing the amazing bond you’re building with one another. Like we hear time and time again, your Little will likely have a bigger impact on you than you anticipated.

4. They’re Compassionate

Remember that episode when Ash, Brock, and Misty darted into a severe thunderstorm to retrieve a Charmander that had been abandoned by it’s trainer? If you know anything about Pokémon then you know how dangerous it is for fire types—especially those with exposed flames—to face that much water. Upon arriving back at the Pokécenter, Ash stayed by Charmander’s bedside until it was 100% healed. Being a good person and caring about others is one characteristic you’ll find in each and every one of our Bigs.

5. They Have Strong Communication Skills

Pokémon trainers wouldn’t get very far without strong communication skills. Not only do they need to communicate with fellow trainers, professors and friends, but also with their Pokémon. With the exception of Team Rocket’s Meowth, Pokémon are only able to say their name or variations of it, so you can only imagine how difficult it must be to communicate with them. This is directly connected to mentoring. Simply being there isn’t all it takes to make an impact on a child. The way you communicate with them makes all the difference in how they react. A lot of mentors go into their match wanting to teach their Little right from wrong and how to grow into a successful adult, but think back to when you were a kid and adapt to what your Little seems to need. With the communication skills of a Pokémon Master you’ll be an expert motivator and who knows, your Little might be the next Pokémon Master!