Paying it Forward on CareerVillage

Speakers: Chanika R. Perry, Director of Education Programs, Hands On Atlanta

Chanika R. Perry: This really wonderful question that came up that really resonated with a member of the participant in the Advice-a-thon. And it was from a little girl who was just interested in being a kid doctor, of course, because she's like in the second grade. And so what is a kid... What's a pediatrician, right? What's a pediatrician, right? It's a kid doctor It's a kid doctor And so she asked a question about what it took to be a kid doctor. And it just so happened that the woman who answered her question is a pediatrician, and her name is Ruth. And Ruth was very excited to get that question and to respond to the student because she wanted to share her journey. And she just loved the question, and got really moved by responding and we come to find out. (Dr. Perry posted on behalf of her students because they were under 13) (Dr. Perry posted on behalf of her students because they were under 13) (Dr. Perry posted on behalf of her students because they were under 13) I was able to look back and see the student who had asked the question, and it was a little Ruth. Now, what are the odds that Dr. Ruth would be answering a question from little kid Ruth? But being able to share that with her (Dr. Ruth) and seeing her on the screen because we did this as a virtual volunteerism event. So I'm looking at her as I'm giving her that information, and you could just see how she was so moved and so touched. And she also just had this moment of, like, you know, you just don't hear the name Ruth that often, particularly now, it's such an old school kind of name. And so she was able to bond a little bit more and felt, even though she wasn't looking at the student, had no idea of this little girl who's questions she was answering. It just gave her a different feeling as she was responding. And, it just added an impact that I couldn't have predicted to the overall event that we were hosting. And so that is a question that came to mind and also a response from an adult. Because as much as CareerVillage is about providing a forum for students to be able to ask questions, or young adults, it's not just students to be able to ask questions. It was also really great to remember that there is another side to it as well and there is something to be said for the person who is responding to the question and the way that they are able to get filled up as well by being able to pay it forward.