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Corps Member

Served with Habitat for Humanity International

  1. Overview
  2. Patricia’s Journey
  1. Overview
  2. Patricia’s Journey
  • August 13, 2018

    Completed Service

    Patricia completed their Service Year with Habitat for Humanity International in Renton, WA, US.

  • December 7, 2017 | Public

    I want to learn more about...

    LinkedIn Learning has been a tool for me to learn and grow professionally. I have used Linkedin Learning to deepen my understanding of issues related to my year of service, as well as subject matters outside my scope of work that I am passionate about. I was also able to tap into a number of videos that related to job hunting and interview etiquette.

    The videos relating to life after my term of service were particularly helpful. There are a number of unwritten rules of the interview process, which can be ever-changing dependent on the employer and company culture. LinkedIn Learning videos can be as short as a minute long and as a result I am able to digest information relating to a number of topics.

    I identified what I consider my weaknesses and delved into these lessons, specifically choosing those that I thought could remedy my weaknesses. As a recent college graduate, I have no prior knowledge or experience negotiating salary. This video was able to articulate not only what that initial conversation might look like, but also how to navigate it.

    As a woman these conversations are particularly sensitive given that women are statistically and consistently underpaid based on gender. I am confident that these initial conversations at the beginning of my career could have rippling effects on my compensation for years to come. For this reason, being well prepared for this interaction is deeply important to me. LinkedIn has provided me with the tools to ensure that I am ready and able to the best of my ability when taking my first seat at the negotiation table.

    With LinkedIn Learning I was able to explore my concerns of today and will be able to explore my passions of tomorrow. Having these resources at my fingertips at any given moment will continue to benefit me throughout my term of service as other questions and concerns arise.

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  • November 20, 2017 | Public

    A challenge I’ve faced in my service year is…

    Main Photo

    My service is centered around affordable housing and traveling to Anacortes, I was excited to learn about wildlife and animal conservation, both of which I know little about. Not only did I step outside of my comfort zone to learn about wildlife, but I was also happy to learn about strategic partnerships and how this small staff has quickly became renowned globally.

    In the past, Dave, the lead conservationist, has traveled with his animals in the Pacific Northwest visiting schools and communities educating them on wildlife. Recently, Dave decided the travel was no longer compatible with his lifestyle and wanted to create an environment in which people learned about these animals in the animal’s habitat.

    Dave shared with us the meager budget on which Predators of the Heart operate. Though I will keep the number private, trust that it is not very much. Dave piloted his new idea on the Airbnb platform and within a couple weeks he was the number one social experiment in Seattle. Within a couple of months, Predators of the Heart was number one globally. He nearly doubled his yearly budget in his first three months partnered with Airbnb.

    Dave’s story demonstrated the importance of flexibility, strategic partnerships, and valuing a work life balance. Most importantly stepping out of your comfort zone. After 18 years with a the same business model, it is easy to become comfortable. It wasn't until Dave stepped outside his comfort zone and was forced to make difficult decisions that he achieved his vision of success, both financially and personally.

    With this challenge I stepped outside my comfort zone to learn about wildlife. But more importantly I was inspired by Dave to step outside my comfort zone no matter what stage in the game I am.

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  • October 17, 2017 | Public

    A challenge I’ve faced in my service year is…

    Main Photo

    I was extremely excited and unsurprised to see Airbnb was a partner of the Service Year 100 program. I am already a firm believer in their business model and the culture they create. I was lucky enough to secure housing and did not stay at an Airbnb on my arrival to Seattle, yet my first Airbnb experience was one that has shaped the way I approach adventures and my ability to trust strangers.

    In the fall of 2015 I studied abroad in Budapest, Hungary. Like 6 million others, I was determined to attend Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. I began my quest for shelter in Munich. Having little experience with foreign travel I was shocked to find that hotels, hostels, and even Airbnb’s were ridiculously overpriced due to the demand. It didn’t help that I was planning a trip to the most popular festival in the world with only a few weeks to spare.

    In my searches on Airbnb I kept stumbling upon a VW van. This van appeared to be parked in someone's driveway and I continued to convince myself that I was not that desperate. As I scrolled and surfed through the web with no success, I finally relented and explored this van.

    I sent an inquiry message and discovered that my host was an American that had also studied abroad once upon a time. After falling in love she decided to stay in Germany and now had two children. Realizing the hosts spoke english, were familiar with my american ways, and appeared unthreatening, I decided this was our best bet. I barely knew the girls I was planning this trip with, yet I somehow managed to convince them that sleeping in this van would be fun, harmless, and a third of the cost.

    We wearily arrived with only our backpacks and little expectation for what this van would hold. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the van was your storybook VW van, chiq and hippy. Our hosts let us use their home to shower (phew) and made us cappuccinos daily while giving us advice on our daily plans.

    Two years later my brother is planning his Oktoberfest trip a full year in advance and I am insisting that this van is the best place to stay in Munich. My experience taught me to never judge a host by their van. More importantly I learned that trusting strangers pays off, even for years to come.

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  • October 2, 2017

    Started Serving

    Patricia began serving with Habitat for Humanity International in Renton, WA, US.

  • July 7, 2017

    Enrolled with Habitat for Humanity International

    Patricia was enrolled with Habitat for Humanity International in Renton, WA, US.

  • July 5, 2017

    Joined Service Year!

    Patricia joined Service Year!

Service Year Experience