Here’s My Story. What’s Yours?

Hello and Happy December! Today marks another “trip around the sun” for me and I can’t help but reflect on the human being I am and share a little about my journey. (Lengthy Blog this time, but I promise you’ll get some golden nuggets and also come to know me better!)

I have found this reflective inquiry to be a healthy practice, especially with the holiday craze now upon us. I invite you to consider gifting it to yourself as well.

It has been said, “Facts tell. Stories sell.” In other words, when we only spout out facts and figures--people are more apt to glaze over and disconnect. But when we share our own story--in a way that others can relate to and get value -- people tend to feel more interested and connected.

If you are a young professional reading this or know someone who is, I hope my story will inspire you to share yours, and see what opens up for you! Here goes...

The middle child of three, I was born and raised in Central Massachusetts, USA. My dad was an ironworker and a Marine and my mom stayed home with us. I appreciate them both so much.

I did not come from a family of college-goers, but I was encouraged to pursue my dream of higher education and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Spanish. During my time in college, I was a member (and co-captain) of the gymnastics team and also studied abroad in Costa Rica and became fluent in Spanish...

Between my parents' divorce and September 11th, I struggled a lot in my “turbulent twenties”-- 

trying to make sense of the world. Determined to make a difference, I threw herself into (over)working 70 hours a week as an Americorps volunteer, which led to complete burnout. 

I had enough sense to know I needed to make a change, and I turned my attention to graduate school. Please note: when I first saw the flyer advertising the program (and scholarship) I wanted to pursue, I realized I had missed the deadline by 3 weeks so I did not apply… UNTIL my then 85-year old grandmother pulled me aside and said, “Cookie-- Rules were written by people and can be unwritten by people. If you really want it, Go for it! Apply anyway, you never know-- they may still be looking for the right person!" 

Lo and behold, I applied to the program, they accepted me, and I graduated with a Master’s in Community Development and Planning from Clark University in 2004. Thanks Grammy!

In 2005 I pooled my very limited resources to buy a small camper and traveled cross-country for 3 months-- 26 U.S. states and 3 countries! In addition to checking out national parks and visiting friends and family, I was researching the connection between creative self-expression and larger social/environmental movements. I even partnered with a former graduate school professor to do dissertation research for him on the road in exchange for gas money! This was a period of such intense growth and development, that I love encouraging young people to create their own "out-of-the-box" adventures as a means of learning and growing. Please reach out if you’d like help designing your “20-something adventure”!

After my cross-country travels, I was hired to run teen programs at the Boys and Girls Club back in Worcester, MA. A year later, I left my job to work for myself as a youth development consultant. (I can now admit I should have waited until I was more financially stable in business before leaving my steady job, but at least you get to learn from my mistakes. Please reach out and ask me about the “gambler story,” haha.)

After 2 ½ years of full-time self-employment, I took a local government job helping people in STEM fields get back to work and/or start businesses after the 2008 recession. For additional income (and because I loved it), I maintained a side consulting contract with a foundation running a youth philanthropy program. The work was incredibly intense, but so fulfilling.

In 2014, while still working for the City of Worcester, I became an Adjunct Professor of Urban Studies at Worcester State University, where I stayed for 5 years teaching urban studies, professional/workforce development, and entrepreneurship courses. I also taught entrepreneurial communications for a couple of years at my Alma Mater, Clark University.

After personally interacting with over 650 college students in 5 years, I decided to leave teaching in 2019 to start my company addressing the persistent gap I saw between young professionals seeking meaningful real-world experience and Do-Good organizations in need of project support.

That same year, when my own marriage was falling apart, I realized I was not mentally or financially prepared to build a company from scratch (while also raising a toddler). Humbled, I ramped up my networking, landed a big marketing job, and planned to weather the storm as a new single mom-- working my job during the day and building my business at night. Then Covid hit. I lost my job, lost my recently obtained mortgage qualification, and almost lost hope entirely. 

About 4 months into the pandemic, I was able to regroup and refocus on what I love most-- empowering young professionals to live their best lives while also contributing to a more sustainable world.

I am so grateful to have had the strength and resilience to (re)launch Visions Internships in December 2020 providing virtual project-based internship services for young professionals and organizations alike. 3 VIP (Visions Internships Program) cycles and 10 happy clients later, my team and I are going strong and 2022 is looking bright!

If you are a purpose-driven young professional between the ages of 19-29, I would absolutely love to chat with you! Feel free to schedule a 30-minute free call with me by clicking HERE and/or connect with me on LinkedIn HERE. If you or someone you know would like more information about our upcoming VIP (Visions Internships Program) for Young Professionals, please check out our link HERE.

Any questions-- just shoot! 

To Your Success,

Amy