Say 'Yes' to Volunteering: A Journey of Unforeseen Opportunities

Hiya, dear reader!

Flashback to 2010. A newbie in the food and beverage industry, juggling undergraduate studies while pursuing internship opportunities, and somewhere in between, I found myself saying 'yes' to something that altered my path. I joined the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).

From peer mentoring in the Emerging Leaders Network to co-chairing the New Professionals Workgroup, to chairing the Marketing, Sales and Management Division for four years, to assessing student scholarship recipients, to supporting the IFT Division Engagement Research Team – you name it, I’ve probably met someone who's volunteered doing it.

In fact, somewhere along the way, I even taught yoga at the IFT Annual Meeting (because who said Food Technology and Downward Dog don't mix?), hosted an evening social mixer with 50+ young professionals, moderated a panel session with over 80 attendees, and participated in numerous focus groups.

Volunteering wasn’t about polishing my resume or gathering 'good karma.' It was about an insatiable thirst for growth, a longing for connection beyond the workplace, and a chance to make a difference, even in small ways.

Volunteering allowed me to explore new avenues, to taste the various flavors life has to offer. It was a source of learning about strategy, a means of personal development through branding, and above all, it provided a sense of fulfillment.

This journey was like a hidden treasure. A lot of my volunteering went unnoticed in the workplace (it was this thing I did on the side), yet it enriched me with experiences and lessons that I could bring back to my professional life. It allowed me to contribute in my unique way, to be part of something larger, and to connect with my profession on a deeper level.

The amazing thing about volunteering? It’s like a magical doorway. Once you open it and step through, opportunities you never could have predicted start popping up. And trust me, these aren't your run-of-the-mill, find-a-dollar-in-your-jeans-pocket kind of surprises. 

Imagine my surprise when I opened my mail box and pulled out the latest issue of Food Technology magazine to find my picture smiling back at me from the cover! It was an unexpected moment of recognition that made all those hours of volunteering seem even more meaningful.

The beauty of volunteering lies in these delightful surprises, in the friendships formed, the skills honed, and the joy of giving back to a community that becomes a second family. Going to the IFT Annual Meeting is like a reunion, you never know who you will be around the next corner, from classmates to professors to lifelong friends.

These experiences wouldn't have been possible without the support from the incredible IFT staff. You go, Kate Ceh Dockins, MS, CAE , Melanie Bozek , Amy Clarke Sievers , Jay Gilbert, PhD , Christie T. , and many others!

So, my fellow professionals, here's a little piece of advice from someone who's been down the volunteering path: say 'yes'. Say 'yes' to new experiences, to personal growth, to making a difference. Say 'yes' to volunteering. 

Trust me, it’s a journey full of unexpected turns, rewarding challenges, and joyous friendships. And who knows, one day you might open a magazine to find your face smiling back at you from the cover.

From one volunteer to another, I encourage you to take this path. To explore this avenue. And to discover what lies beyond the 'yes'. 

Until next time, 

Allison

P.S. As the well known comedian Amy Poehler would say: "You attract the right things when you have a sense of who you are." Volunteering helped me find that sense. It might just do the same for you.