Why has my volunteerism journey taken me far more than my professional career?

Hello, it is April, National Volunteer Month the most important month on the career calendar.

Now, before you read too far, this piece is written from an underdog point of view, based on authentic, real-life experiences and in different environments; while reading, if you find yourself bored or agitated, my sincere apology that was not my intention. As a career "mortician", I do a career and life post-mortem from time to time to understand the past and care for what remains.

If you read this and the message resonates with you, please take action to elevate your volunteer life. Also, note that it is not a sympathy or self promotion note but a true self-reflection of my life through a rare view mirror.

Volunteerism to me means giving yourself to the service of others; it is a daily act of kindness. In this approach, you reach out when you see a problem or opportunity, step in, and solve it for the benefit of the other parties, whether you know them or not and without any expectations.

In my life, the biggest irony is that many people tell me of how they admire my resilience in building a great career in tech and cybersecurity across three continents but do not realize that my professional career has one of my most enormous liabilities from the financial and social capital that I have encountered.        

Analyzing an individual's life, career, spirituality, and success takes different eyes and thought processes. Indeed, my job has a much lower return on investment than my volunteerism work, but why would that be the case?

Modern society's structural approach emphasizes "meritocracy", titles, and social connections more than acknowledging individuals' self-sacrifice, pain, talent and passion in serving humanity.

As I grew up in rural Africa, volunteerism was the driver for our society in the spirit of "Harambee" and, in fact, the lethal weapon against poverty, tribalism, nepotism, and hatred. So, I was infected by the volunteer bug at an early age.         

But in this world, as I have learned, most people are followers, so they follow as they are told because of professional nicety or image. In contrast, when you are a human protagonist and a pathfinder, what stops you isn't the structures within the society fabric but the problem you intend to solve. You lose the sense of human dominion as the fire within ignites your volunteer's spirit.

I was born a nice boy, and I put my head down for many years. I focused on becoming a great person in society with an excellent job title and have many professional friends. I wonder if I've achieved much on that front or not sure if my focus has ever been there wholly.

While naive and with my head down, I noticed new opportunities early in elementary school; for example, I ran very fast. Yes, I was actually the "Usain Bolt" in middle school, and some of the teachers who used to smoke noticed my talent and unilaterally offered me the role of collecting their cigarettes at the nearby shopping center during break time, lunch break, or whenever they ran out of stock.         

I became the classroom blackboard cleaner with a piece of a torn-sleeping mattress or woolen blanket, thanks to the British bedroom attire from colonial days, which empowered my coveted role.

I rose through the volunteerism ranks to be the student who carried soccer balls and volleyballs as we visited neighboring schools for sports, sat shared lunch with the teachers, as i helped to track down the scores and sporting venues at the events. The super bolt I walked bare feet around the fields passing information as required as we did not have mobile phones then.

Career wise, I luckily knew that I would not have become a president even if I had remained like the cool kids. I also didn't have the mental appetite for that traumatizing job where one has to live surrounded by security personnel and escorts, working for the people but heavily protected from the people.        

I may have become a significant person in society, a doctor, a lawyer, or, most importantly, a veterinarian, a village rescuer, and a hero. But honestly, I would have missed a lifetime opportunity to exploit my early life running talent or at least volunteer to serve my fellow students, teachers, and everyone else.

Later, I worked hard to secure a digital job to earn social status like everyone else. There was no corruption or nepotism in that process then, so seeing my name in the national newspaper invited for an interview and job offer on a morning daily newspaper was humbling and heartwarming.        

Yes, our country's integrity and transparency level were above the bar and cannot be compared with what I've witnessed even in the Western world. I didn't know anyone, just my skills, education, and talent secured me a job.

My first job paid less than $200, but it was okay. It was all published in the national newspaper, making me wonder why salaries are a top secret in some organizations, countries, or continents. Yet, we want people to be transparent in the same organizations; how can we confirm equal pay or equity for all?

Anyway, I was happy and under no stress. I met and married my beautiful wife, but something was still missing. I had a massive hole in my heart; I lacked fulfillment and inner life joy; money could not get me there, nor job titles.

Despite that, I am very grateful my tech career feeds my family and pays bills today; I have also worked across reputable international organizations, nonprofits, national government, other regional government branches, and the private sector. In line of duty, I have met high-profile people and even some of the most brilliant human beings in the tech world, sadly not at community volunteer events.        

As I reflect, the things I have done in my career have had a minor impact on my life compared to the day I went out to volunteer.

In my career, the investment is all pouring?out, more in helping others thrive for profit or material gains; volunteering pours differently, IN and OUT, with zero money or titles investment required but at equal measures, leaving a fulfilling, refreshing, long-lasting impact.

This is an extract from some of my volunteer success journeys. In 2017, I quit my job, moved my family to a different country and for the second time, and spent all my life saving, as I planned, to start a new life in a place I didn't know well; yes, I risked my family and life, too. A few days before I left the country where I lived, I decided to volunteer. I felt empathetically and professionally naked as I counted on the financial losses, my job, and loss of many friends.

Over the three days, the international competition and games were won and lost, and as we closed the ceremony, the two top medalists, today's summer Olympic champions and gold medalist, appeared and asked if I wanted to take a selfie. It was?April Ross?and?Alix Klineman from the U.S.,?a moment I still cherish.        

Moving into the new country was rough, and I didn't get a professional tech job that fast. I took time to volunteer during the summer time, and at one of the Grand Prix events in my son's company, I was invited to the VIP lounge to meet the top drivers. There you go. I met Chip Ganassi Racing team top driver, Scott Dixon, and his wife and it was a fantastic moment to hear about his racing career journey and, of course, the wife taking memory pictures for my son and me.

Another reckoning moment was a slim opportunity at the Nike World headquarters during the changeover or hand-off from the former CEO,?Mark Parker, who handed over to?John Donahoe;?I subscribed to the list to welcome the new CEO, but I had no idea what it was about. I was ready to give my time to support the transition and join the employee's jubilation during the welcoming session. As fate would have it, Joe created a moment to meet and greet the people in the room.         

Sam, there I was, a timid village boy from Africa, stretching my shaking arm to share a tight grip with the new CEO of Nike, John Joseph Donahoe II; that was the moment I proudly and silently said, JUST DO IT ! Fun fact: he created my last handshake on the picture right before the COVID-19 non handshake culture. The over six-foot-tall Joe held my tiny shoulders as we posed.

It was easy to say I felt the weight of Nike on me, with my red t-shirt written welcome and, yes, my first time to meet a Chief Executive Officer of a Fortune 500. Disclaimer: I am not looking for a job at Nike apart from volunteering :), but I would love to meet Joe again so we can redo the handshake photo post covid as I buy him coffee to appreciate him for creating such an unforgettable golden opportunity :)

In 2022, I was on fire to support the first world athletic championship in the U.S. Soil. I knew it was my responsibility to make it a success, and before I knew it, I was fully submerged in the volunteer operations in the small town of Eugene, Oregon. I worked diligently and was assigned extraordinary roles, from technology to medical team support to international desk guest experience.

I met great athletes in track and field, yes, Olympic Gold Medalists. I couldn't believe it when I met my superhero,?Kirani James,?the Grenadian professional sprinter and Olympic champion.        

On Sunday, the last day of the event, I got an email from the volunteer desk in Eugene, a hundred miles away. I checked with my wife. She thought it would be reasonable to help at the event on the last day last event as many other volunteers would have already left or wanted to watch the last event.

I drove down to Eugene, I was assigned the role where I met some other great athletes from great nations.

When I was done for the day, I was delighted, and as I said goodbye towards midnight, I stepped out of the event facility and headed to my old gasoline automobile. A voice behind me said, "Thank you for your help. Thank you very much."

I turned around to check, and it was Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan, known as "Tobi," the Nigerian athlete who had just broken a Women's 100-hurdles world record. She agreed to create a photo moment as she headed to the airport.        

Volunteerism has its upsides and, worse, downsides too. I try as much to take care of my security, safety, and other societal challenges as I do volunteer in a foreign country.

But even with all the personal challenges I face along the way, they cannot outweigh the good act of volunteerism. It has given me purpose and fulfillment in life, and as I'll always say, I'll go to the grave smiling!!

Volunteer and be there for others!!

Disclaimer: The author's opinions, views, and suggestions are based on his personal life and career experiences.