Volunteering not only connected me with a community that supported my causes but it’s also helped jumpstart my marketing career.

Volunteering has had a significant impact on me personally and professionally. It allowed me to level up my resume, and opened the door to new opportunities and connections. But most importantly, it’s been a fulfilling experience to know I’ve made a difference, big or small.

I encourage any student or professional in between jobs or careers to consider volunteering. Here are four reasons why.

Explore the possibilities!

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This International Women’s Day, I want to celebrate my childhood hero, Michelle Kwan. I had the pleasure of hearing her speak several years ago, and her message will forever stay with me.

Figure skating was my favorite sport to watch as a child. It brought the family together around the television as we rooted for our favorite skaters. Michelle Kwan was my favorite; I admired her not only because she represented Asian Americans in the public eye but also for her drive and tenacity.

Michelle wasn’t always at the top. When she first came onto the scene, she was young and still had a lot of room to grow. It wasn’t until 1996 that the world saw Michelle reach her full potential. That season, we witnessed her transformation on the ice. She had developed a new level of maturity in her routine and an undeniable fierceness in her jumps. As a result, Michelle won her first US National and World Championships that year. Then, she went on to win eight more National Championships and four more World Championships—making her the most decorated US skater in figure skating history.

Meeting Michelle Kwan

In 2015, while I was a board member of OCA-St. Louis, I had the unique opportunity to meet my childhood hero at an event we co-hosted with Washington University. Michelle was the guest speaker and she shared her skating and post-career experiences. She also spoke candidly about her successes and failures.

“The first thing I learned in skating was to learn how to fall.”

 

-Michelle Kwan

For me, that was the most powerful message she shared that evening. I wrote it down and have never forgotten it. Most of us have fallen at some point in our personal or professional life. Being able to learn and grow from our mistakes is just as important as getting back up. We might fall a few more times before we figure it out, but the hope is that we can improve each time. Persistence and resilience build the heart of a champion.

Learning From My Personal Failures

When I met Michelle, I was struggling to transition into the career I wanted in marketing. Even though I was a double-major in MIS and marketing, I was rejected for entry-level marketing roles because I didn’t have any marketing experience or internships to tout. At one point, I questioned whether I should just stay in IT. In the end, I turned those rejections into a learning opportunity of how to become a better candidate and acquired the hands-on experience I needed through volunteering. Starting over to pursue a new career path was a challenging but humbling experience.

A Little Inspiration

I had never gone ice skating before that event and never thought I would want to try. A few days after the event, my husband (then-boyfriend) convinced me to go ice skating to celebrate my encounter with a World Champion figure skater. I fell countless times that evening, but his encouragement and the inspiration from meeting Michelle kept me going. While I hesitate to call it “skating,” I was able to make it around the rink unassisted by the end of the night.

Maybe a World Championship isn’t in my future, but I’ll take every lesson learned as a win.

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Feng shui is a traditional Chinese practice that has become increasingly popular in Western culture over the last decade.

The literal translation for feng shui is “wind” and “water.” Its philosophy is to harness energy forces (chi) and balance natural elements (fire, earth, metal, water, and wood) to create a harmonious environment for the individuals in it. The goal of a room design and layout is to allow chi to flow smoothly inside the space. According to believers, good feng shui can bring good fortune, health, and luck to its inhabitants. Surprisingly enough, sometimes it is also very practical and can results in the improved use of a space or object.

Growing up, I learned about feng shui from my Chinese/Vietnamese family and relatives. No one was an expert on the subject, but they all knew the steadfast rules and basic principles. Unless you have the means to construct your own home or office, it’s difficult to be “feng shui-perfect.” My rule of thumb for every home or office I’ve ever had is to incorporate a few good practices that are both simple and provide a functional benefit. If it brings me good luck, then that’s a bonus.

Here are five tips to help you rein in some positive energy for your office.

1. Place your desk in the command position

The main piece of furniture in any room, should be placed in a location that allows you to have a clear view of the entrance. This is known as the “command” or “power” position. Having a good visual of your room and being able to see anyone or anything gives you more control of your environment–which symbolizes taking control of your career.

An effective command position should also meet the following criteria:

• Be located in the area farthest from the door, allowing you to have the widest view of your room
• Not be in a direct path with the door because it makes you vulnerable to negative or overabundance of energy rushing in
• There should be a wall behind the desk and you (this represents having a strong backing or support)

Luckily, there is usually a “remedy” to help offset poor feng shui. If you cannot achieve a proper command position, then place a mirror on your desk or wall so you can see the door easily. Adding a desk lamp can also help as light creates positive energy  (see more on lighting below).

Tip: I apply this idea to other rooms in the house—it is especially important for the positioning of a bed. I even apply this in settings outside of my home or office. Whether in a conference room or restaurant, I try to pick the seat that puts me in the optimal position.

2. Remove clutter

Avoiding clutter has many obvious functional benefits; you can easily find the things you need when you them, have a more organized-looking workspace, etc. When it comes to feng shui, clutter creates blockages and prohibits chi from flowing freely within a space. Stagnant energy can prevent you from moving forward in your career, create mental blocks, or keep good chi from reaching you. Clutter also creates negative energy that can increase stress and lower productivity. There is also scientific research to help back this up: The Unbearable Heaviness of Clutter.

3. Add a living plant to your space

Plants represent wood. Bringing this element into your office is believed to cultivate growth, bring prosperity, and create harmony. It also nourishes the energy in a room by activating the positive and eliminating the negative.

However, it is important to avoid unhealthy or spiky plants. In feng shui, you should avoid placing sharp, pointy objects around you because it can inflict harmful chi onto its inhabitants.

Fun Fact: A few years ago, I purchased a money tree for my cubicle when I was in line for a promotion. The plant flourished, and I got my promotion within a month. It was the only plant that survived more than a month under my care, lasting for almost two years.

4. Use good lighting

 Lighting is often used in feng shui to remedy problematic areas. Like plants, it also attracts positive energy and diminishes the negative. It represents the fire element and is also the strongest source of yang energy. Yang energy is strong and vibrant, which is excellent for bolstering creativity and increasing productivity.

Not all light created equal. Natural lighting is best because its energy nourishes the room and its inhabitants. When natural lighting is limited, use full-spectrum light bulbs because they simulate outdoor lighting the most. Avoid fluorescent light because it is harsh and creates negative energy. The negative impacts of fluorescents extends beyond feng shui though–they have lonh been scrutinized for their adverse effects on our health.

It is important to have ample lighting but not go overboard. Remember that good feng shui is require balance, and in this case, the balance of yin (darkness) and yang (light).

5. Use artwork to amplify your space

Artwork is also another item in the feng shui toolkit used to promote good energy and remedy issues. When used in the office, they should motivate you and represent the goals you want to achieve. Here are some commonly used images and what they symbolize for the Chinese:

Mountains: Support or backing (typically place on the wall behind the desk)
Water: Prosperity, the flow of income
Fish: Prosperity, abundance
Rooster: Deflects bad energy

You can also put up quotes that inspire you and bring positive vibes.

Regardless of whether you choose to incorporate any of these feng shui ideas, the most important thing is that you do what makes you comfortable and happy in your space. Have fun!

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