I’m realizing more and more that the only thing constant
in life is change. And I think that’s a good thing!
People have their opinions about employment and how long
you should keep a job… It’s funny because I think some of that perspective
comes from “the olden days” and perhaps some of it also comes from a place of envy
because they might be “stuck” where they are. I would never be a proponent of
job-hopping, but I’m even less a proponent of sticking with something just
because “you should” according to others.
I’ve written before about following your heart. It might
not end up being the path you thought it was going to be, but at least you
tried, and you won’t have to wonder “what if?” I think we do make some
decisions based on what we hope the end result will be and I am
guilty of that for sure. Sometimes my gut and my heart don’t totally agree, but
I don’t realize it until later. The heart typically wins!
Well, “what if” an opportunity presented itself where you
could combine a philanthropic effort that you have already been involved with
(as a volunteer) with your professional experience in a job (as a paid employee)?
Sounds pretty amazing, right? Two worlds colliding! I’ve often thought about
working in the non-profit world… Of course, knowing it is still a job, with its
own set of challenges, but doing something in my work that affects the greater
good has always sounded appealing.
I’m a Delta Gamma
(yes, I said “am” and not “was” because we make a lifetime commitment!) and
our philanthropy is “Service for Sight” – supporting vision-related charities
and organizations with our same mission to help
those who are blind or visually impaired through services or research. Each collegiate and alumnae
chapter throughout North America and the U.K. is dedicated to supporting this
through service and fundraising efforts.
In 2005, together with my San
Diego Delta Gamma alumnae chapter, I founded
a charity event called Race for Sight, with the beneficiaries being our DG Foundation,
San Diego Braille Institute, and The Vision of Children Foundation here in San Diego.
Well, my worlds have
collided because the founders of Vision of Children (VOC) have asked me to be their
Director of Development & Communications... And I have accepted! I couldn't
turn down the chance to couple an outside interest (with such profound meaning)
with my professional experience. VOC funds research with the goal of eradicating
genetic eye diseases and vision disorders. Through the research they’ve helped
fund, there has been successful gene replacement and there are people who were
born blind who now have vision—pretty amazing stuff!
They’re looking to me to
help them step-up their numbers and outreach so we can get to the end
result—curing these diseases—FASTER. And I can’t wait to get started. It really
was amazing timing, despite having been at my current position for just about six
months… I had to go for it!
I read an article recently
that said “passion is the secret ingredient to success.” Are you passionate
about what you’re doing? Why not? Take some time and write down those things
you are passionate about—what you would do even if you didn’t get paid for
it—and then seek out ways to follow that passion.
So, more change… Bring it on!
I recommend checking out this article: http://addicted2success.com/success-advice/7-steps-to-finding-your-passion-the-secret-ingredient-to-success/
