Written by: Rachael Walker

In honor of Research Pride Month, I want to share my professional journey, from a new kid to what I still have trouble seeing myself as: an industry veteran. My story is one of generosity from others that has inspired me to be generous in turn.

If you’ve ever encountered me in a professional context, you’ve probably heard me say that my favorite thing about this industry and the people in it is how willing people are to share their time and knowledge with others in the field. I’ve said it in one-on-one conversations, in small networking sessions, and in the Apra Talks panel on the PD main stage last year: we are an incredibly generous group of people by our very nature.

This generosity has had a huge impact on me in the fifteen years I have been in prospect development. Because of the impact the volunteerism of others has had on me, I always leap at any opportunity to pay it forward. It feels wonderful to share my time and knowledge because so many people shared their knowledge with me. If I can give someone foundational knowledge to build upon, if I can contribute in any way to advancing our field, that’s worth every bit of time and effort I invest.

For me, volunteering means more than just serving on boards or committees. It’s about giving of my time wherever it’s needed. Whether it’s a Zoom call for someone to pick my brain on a topic or presenting at a big conference, I am here for it!

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Fifteen years ago, PRSPCT-L, then still a listserv, was a vital resource for a newbie prospect researcher just starting out in the field. I devoured every email digest, absorbing every crumb of information shared by people who took the time out of their days to answer questions sent in to the listserv. With time, I felt comfortable asking some of my own questions - and with even more time, answering some, too!

A few years into my time in prospect development, I was recruited to serve on the Apra Carolinas Education Committee by then-chair Katie Fulcher. My first exposure to volunteering in a professional capacity was so inspiring - working to develop content to educate the others in our chapter was my first taste of how it felt to pay forward everything I had learned from others willing to share their knowledge.

A Volunteer Develops

As a result of a post I shared on PRSPCT-L about the parent screening validation process developed at my first research job at Wake Forest University, I was asked by Apra Greater New York to contribute an article summarizing the process for their newsletter. This was the first time I truly felt as if I had a level of expertise to share, and I leapt at the opportunity. Again, how could I turn up the chance to pay it forward?

I presented for the first time in 2015 as part of the UNC Advancement Symposium, as I then worked at the UNC System Office, on a needs assessment process I had performed at Wake Forest as part of my capstone project for my MLIS degree. The following year, I turned my validating wealth screening article into a presentation for Apra Chapters Share the Knowledge - my first time presenting a webinar! This ultimately became a half-day pre-conference workshop for Apra’s PD conference in 2017 and 2018. I didn’t submit it as a workshop, but the content was apparently of enough interest that the committee wanted it expanded. How was I developing into an industry veteran whose knowledge was respected? I sure didn’t know (and still don’t, to be honest).

At the same time, I moved up from the Education Committee to the NC Regional Representative for Apra Carolinas, then began a four-year tenure as Education Chair. I also began serving on Apra International committees, simultaneously as a member of the Curriculum Planning Committee for PD, and on the Advocacy Committee. And all along, I was making myself available for anyone who ever had any questions about things I knew about - and reaching out to others who had information I needed.

The Now

Somehow, I have made my way to serve as President of Apra Carolinas, where I am incredibly proud to head up an extraordinary board that works hard to provide benefits and professional development for our members. I served on the Apra Nominating Committee last year. For years, I’ve been a member of the committee for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapters group, a collaboration between the Apra chapters representing Pennsylvania, Maryland, Metro DC, Virginia, and the Carolinas that works together to provide excellent professional development content at an accessible cost to members of our chapters.

I may not be Education Chair anymore, but I haven’t stopped working to provide professional development to peers, either. I was a member of the Apra Fundamentals faculty this year, and will be on a panel for Apra Plug In to Small Shops this summer. I was a panelist for “We Are All Data Scientists” at Apra Talks at PD last year, a main stage event in front of all live and virtual attendees. I have several presentations in rotation that I am still asked to present as webinars for chapters. All of these opportunities allow me to share my hard-won knowledge and give advice - sometimes unasked for, as anyone who's been to a networking session with me can attest.

It feels sometimes like I blinked and became one of the admired industry veterans whose names I learned in those very early days of PRSPCT-L. People know my name. They reach out to me without ever having met me to ask my advice or input on things that they’re working on. They attend my webinars and thank me for what I share. All it ever took was putting up my hand, saying “yes,” and leaning into the desire to give back what this field has given me.

Volunteering in any capacity, sharing knowledge, and making professional development accessible are all ways I contribute to our community - and they’re ways anyone can contribute, whether you’re comfortable in front of a crowd or would rather answer questions on PRSPCT-L. I encourage everyone to get involved, share their expertise, and help build a supportive and thriving professional environment. You will get back everything you put in, and then some. I’m living proof.