Q: Where do you volunteer and in what capacity?
I’m currently serving as president of the Ohio Career Development Association Board. This is the third year I’ve served in a volunteer capacity on the executive team with OCDA, and the eighth year I’ve served on the board. In addition, I’m serving my second term as a board member for the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce, and have served on the advisory board for Huntington National Bank for seven years. Other volunteer efforts of mine include church leadership and community youth events, educational presentations, as well as short-term projects through organizations like United Way of Greater Lima.
Q: How does volunteering improve your professional life? Your personal life?
Community service in capacities like this have allowed me to stay connected with others in my field, which is extremely valuable to me as a one-person office and department. Volunteering at the chamber of commerce has allowed me to stay abreast of local developments, new businesses opening in our area, and to connect business owners with students at our campus. Ultimately, volunteering in this capacity helps bring awareness to our campus, degree offerings, and increases employment opportunities for Lima campus students.
Ironically, my experience with the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce began over 25 years ago, when I worked there as program coordinator through my very first job after graduating college! Working at the chamber of commerce allowed me to develop my career in business, learn about the Lima community from a workforce development standpoint, and get to know current and former community leaders in a meaningful way. For this reason and many more, the local chamber holds a special place in my heart, and I appreciate the opportunity to give back through my service as a board member and volunteer.
Q: How do you choose what you volunteer for?
When deciding where to volunteer, I typically consider the mission and vision of the organization, and how it aligns with my personal and professional goals and interests. Projects that allow me to utilize my strengths, while at the same time make a positive impact on youth and/or workforce and career development appeal to me most. Service opportunities along these lines many times coincide with my field of work as a career development manager, and therefore naturally expand campus efforts for community engagement. In effort to maintain a healthy work-life balance, at times I’m not able to accept an invitation to volunteer. In those instances, I explore options to serve in another capacity, at another time in the future, or make recommendations of alternate people who may be interested and available.
Rachel Richardson is Ohio State Lima's career development manager in the Office of Student Life and a certified global career development facilitator .