Join/Renew
We often think of professional development as something we receive, but some of the most meaningful growth happens when we choose to give.
For the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving as a co-lead for an affinity group with NACE. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer through state and regional associations and to help create experiences that bring professionals together around shared learning and new ideas. These experiences have pushed me to think more deeply about why volunteerism matters in our profession and I continue to be energized by that work.
If I’m being honest, though, I originally said yes because I thought it would be a good professional development opportunity, which it was, but what I gained went far beyond anything I expected, because volunteerism has a way of giving back in ways you do not always see coming.
Through this work, I have connected with thoughtful and talented professionals who care deeply about advancing our field and supporting students. These relationships grow into something more. They become your network, your sound board, and often, your community.
Service also opens doors. I have been invited into spaces I might not have otherwise experienced, because I decided to get involved. I have served as a program reviewer, facilitated conversations, joined panels, and contributed to discussions about where our field is going. Those opportunities do more than build a resume. They build perspective. They challenge you to think more broadly about your work and your impact.
But beyond that, volunteerism is personally rewarding.
There is something meaningful about contributing to something larger than your day-to-day responsibilities. It reminds us that our profession is not only about the work we do within our own institutions—it is about the collective impact we have when we share ideas, challenge one another, and move the field forward together. It is also a way to pay it forward.
I have benefited from the work and leadership of those who came before me. People gave their time and energy to build resources, create community, and shape best practices that I have learned from. Volunteering feels like a natural extension of that. It is a way to contribute to the same community that has supported my own growth.
I often say that professional development is not just about taking; it is also about giving.
Attending a conference and learning from others is valuable, but there is a different kind of growth that comes from contributing. Leading a discussion, sharing your perspective, or helping shape a program or experience builds a different set of skills. That is where leadership starts to take shape.
Through service, I have grown more confident in leading conversations and speaking in spaces where decisions are being made. I have developed a stronger sense of presence and a clearer voice. I have learned from others, compared practices across institutions, and thought more intentionally about the future of our work. Most importantly, I have learned that leadership is not something you wait for—it is something you practice. Volunteering gives us a place to do exactly that.
If you have ever considered getting involved, whether with NACE, your state association, or another professional community, I encourage you to take that step, raise your hand, say yes. You do not have to have everything figured out, you just need to be willing to contribute. Ultimately, at some point, the question shifts from “What can I gain from this field?” to “What role do I want to play in shaping it?”
That is where the real growth begins.
