In September 2008, I was unemployed and not feeling very satisfied with my life. Even with a published book to my name and other previous accomplishments, not being immersed in a career was starting to get to me. Formerly, I worked for the Government (1989-2005) and had quit when my son, who is autistic, started school and therapy sessions on a full-time basis. Working as a technical writer, I made a high-end salary and, to this day, I still get inquiries offering these types of positions. Yes, I know in these hard economic times, I should consider job offers such as these and am probably a "fool" to turn them down. However, to be quite honest, I did not find technical writing that exciting and did not care for the type of environment I previously worked in. For me, I wanted to have a job which I enjoyed and a job that allowed me to make a positive impact in the community.
One day while talking with a friend, I mentioned that I wanted to go into public speaking and mentoring to help people learn to empower themselves to reach their full potential. She suggested that I volunteer, since it was hard to "get a job" as a public speaker or mentor. She said, "If you really want to help people, start by volunteering." I thought, "That's a great idea!" So, later that day, I e-mailed the United Way of York County asking them about volunteer opportunities and attached my resume for background purposes.
To my surprise, on my birthday to be exact, I got more than an e-mail response to my inquiry; I actually got a job offer! I read the job description and could not believe what I was reading. They needed a Youth Volunteer Initiatives Coordinator (YVIC) for SecureCorps, an AmeriCorps program. The purpose of the position is to increase awareness to middle school and high schools students about the importance of volunteerism. I couldn't believe it! I thought "Wow! This job is perfect for me!" On October 1, 2008, I started my new position, and two months later, I had spoken to more than 1,000 students, conducted the National Family Volunteer Day service project, and had started planning for our MLK Day of Service event.
The purpose of this blog is to encourage volunteerism and show that the experience may lead you to learn something new about yourself and/or find a new career. Every day the local news reports about increases in layoffs for many local residents and throughout the United States. A job or the company you previously worked for should not define who you are or what you are; it is your skills and talents that should define you. The challenge is for you to find another employer who will pay you for your skills. No, volunteering may not lead you to another career as it did for me, but you never know what is possible until you try. Therefore, if you are one of the recently unemployed waiting in between interviews, filling out job applications and have some spare time, why not utilize the skills and talents you have to help others? The help you can give to others may help someone to lead a more productive life, for which they may forever be grateful. In the end, you too may also walk away feeling grateful.
