As the virtual 2024 Virginia Volunteerism Summit approaches, we are excited to share Q&As with some of the presenters who will lead workshops during this year's event, so that you can learn more about their work! On the afternoon of May 15, Jenna Lenhardt will lead a Summit workshop on Creating (and Re-Creating) Your Career Path. Discover how to apply tools and reframing mindsets for finding your way forward to maximize networking, academic programs, and job crafting to make the most of your whole self. Sharing lessons learned from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education, this session offers hands-on exploration and reflection for all stages of one’s career, from first steps to second careers and beyond. Continue reading to get to know Jenna Lenhardt, Director of Strategic Recruitment and Outreach at the VCU School of Education...

 

Jenna Lenhardt: My first experience was in college working with a local women's shelter. Today, I work with different organizations based on areas of passion and career alignment. I love gardening and believe strongly in food access, so Shalom Farms is an easy space to learn and serve. Animal welfare and community outreach is near and dear to me, and so volunteering and fostering for the Richmond SPCA and Lab Rescue of Greater Richmond have been wonderful to engage.

 

Volunteerism allows me to stretch my knowledge and stay humble to different neighbor's needs. For instance, recently I was supporting a fellow foster dog family and realize how critical it is to connect with older community members to check to see how they are doing, socializing, and just to be a friendly ear. Aging can be isolating, and through this service, I gain patience and perspective.

 

I think volunteerism can be integrated into each organization's strategic plan to build community, connections, and perspective on true client needs. I think organizations (including higher education institutions), can easily get disconnected from the realities of the individuals they serve. Through a strategic and integrative volunteer and service practice and expectation structure, organizations will be more clued into the needs of those they serve as well as have an ear to the ground on what things are starting to shift so they can be more agile to changes in society.

 

Relationships first. If people don't like working with you, if you don't follow-through, if you do not work hard to build trust with others, you are standing in your own way of success. Be kind, follow through, communicate, and trust that all the good you put out there will come back in spades.