Volunteering Boosted My Career
Giving back to my community is important to me, and it gives me an opportunity to meet others with similar interests. When I relocated to New York City, my network was a party of two - my sister and partner, David. Less than 6 months after settling into my new life in the city, my relationship abruptly ended. Not the worst thing to happen, right? I was devastated! Work was humming along just fine, but the more time spent in my Recruiter position; I realized I enjoyed recruiting for full-time positions and not temporary roles. The happiness I hoped to have in my relationship, and my job were not where I wanted it to be, so I decided to distract myself by volunteering. Helping others was a way to avoid feeling sorry for myself, but I got more out of the experience than expected.
The Shift
My first volunteering experience in New York City was with New York Cares, that offered flexibility for volunteers, such as one-time volunteering activities. I searched their database and was impressed. I searched by neighborhoods; availability; and the category, “Issues I care about”. The flexibility allowed me to select a “fun” volunteer gig - Animal Care, and Career Preparation, which allowed me to use my recruitment skills. Weekly I helped adults, and students improve their resumes and conduct mock interviews. Eventually, I met other volunteers, and a few worked in Human Resources.
Search results from New York Cares.org website
Helping others prepare and nail their interviews, reconnected me with my love of recruitment and warmed my heart to help students and adults get closer to their dream job, or just a better-paying job to support family. Unexpected were the professional networking and informal mentoring opportunity volunteering afforded me. While dog walking at my fun volunteer gig, I met a Banker, who introduced me to his “HR person”. This HR person was Joanne, the Head of Human Resources, and she gave me advice on ways to insert myself at work to get opportunities recruiting for the full-time positions. This was a feather in my cap! To be clear, Joanne and I met for coffee a couple of times and subsequently offered to mentor me. I had a similar experience when I met Taylor, a Talent Acquisition Manager (also known as Recruitment), and she invited me to networking events and shared professional development options of which I was unaware. My relationship with Taylor was different than Joanne. Taylor and I got to know each other while volunteering and shared the same profession. Granted, she was more experienced and accomplished than I was, but she got to see me in my element, while at the community center. Taylor’s on-demand coaching extinguished my frustration at work because her guidance and feedback helped me navigate what once appeared as an insurmountable mountain. Her practical suggestions helped me gain on-the-job experiences that corresponded with the career road map I began drafting with Joanne.
Changes
Changes were happening, but the most significant change was within me. A tangible action plan gave me a newfound confidence. I made suggestions to my manager on ways to get more experience recruiting for full-time positions, and I took the initiative to source good candidates for the recruiters with whom I wanted to work. The rhythm at work was consistent, and I let others, including my manager, know of my interest. A year later, a Senior Recruiter in my department asked me to lunch and expressed an interest in having me join her team. One of the recruiters resigned, and the leadership team felt I was ready for more responsibility. Wow! I got it - more responsibility with my current employer. It took a year for this to evolve, and this year progressed at a snail’s pace.
Reflection
That year was the slowest and fastest year in my life. The break-up with David was difficult, and my on-the-job experiences gave me clarity about my career direction. Getting support with defining my career path and drafting an action plan to get there came from a variety of sources. Volunteering allowed me to expand my network, while contributing to my community; inform others of my aspirations; and participate in activities in which I had a genuine interest. I met volunteers who worked in other fields or disciplines, but two of my interactions helped further my career path. Volunteerism was personally and professionally rewarding. Although I have no proof, I suspect my enthusiasm, authenticity and vulnerability were factors in Joanne and Taylor’s willingness to help me. This pleasant memory of empowered women lifting others is a constant reminder to pay it forward. How has volunteering helped your career?
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