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Membership Matters How
Did YOU Get Here? What’s
In It For ME? Ellyn Ross, Co-Chairperson Membership Committee Have
you ever noticed how interesting it can be to find out how colleagues chose to
become involved in our field? I
remember, on several occasions, listening, with great curiosity, to what led
others to decide that a career in working with individuals with visual
impairments was for them. Most
commonly, people speak with enthusiasm about the moment when they decided that
this career was the one for them! How many of us have shared
these experiences with others OUTSIDE the field?
Do we speak excitedly about our career choice to others who have not
experienced the joys (and challenges!) of similar positions?
You might be surprised at the impact a casual conversation can have on
another’s career choice! Approximately 20 years after I
completed my B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Education/Visual
Disabilities at Florida State University, I encountered someone I knew while I
was a student. We had not seen each
other for two decades when we ran into each other at the same conference in
Florida. Becky was two years behind
me in college and, unbeknownst to me, had decided to pursue a career in visual
impairment because of my unintentional recruitment techniques:
Every opportunity I had, I spoke enthusiastically about my program of
study with anyone who would listen! Coincidentally,
Becky had been the recipient of one of my “pep talks.”
Now in a leadership position, Becky had similarly “mentored” many
others in our field and had positively impacted the lives of many individuals
with visual impairments. Never underestimate the
opportunity you have to bring talented, caring professionals into our field and
into the membership of DVI. Often,
sharing one’s professional experiences informally provides those contemplating
a career path with the best possible information about our field.
And don’t hesitate to share with colleagues in our field the benefits
of membership in DVI. Seize the
opportunity to convey the professional growth, contribution to the field, and
collaboration among colleagues that membership in DVI provides.
You’ll be glad you made this contribution to the field!
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