Her Story
About Rachel
I've been in the workforce field for close to 10 years total. I started my path in human services and general counseling in my undergrad and master's degree, which led me to higher education helping students pursue their next career move or their future career move. Then I moved into a very pivotal role and worked directly with workforce with those who are underserved - the unemployed and the underemployed - helping them upskill or gain skills to make them employable or get them better paying jobs in our community. Now, as Director of Workforce Initiatives at the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce for about a year and a half, my typical day definitely looks like making a lot of connections, helping businesses and their employees get connected with each other and with resources, and then working on a team to help them be successful because they help me be successful all of the time. My responsibilities largely fall under different workforce initiatives for chamber businesses and for the community to help their employees just get rooted in their community and grow and want to stay here in Council Bluffs. I oversee programs like Council Bluffs Young Professionals, Leadership Council Bluffs, Youth Leadership Council Bluffs, and Women Inspiring Women. I'm just starting to tap into attraction, so attracting those young families and that young next workforce to want to come to Council Bluffs to work and grow a family, or to stay in Council Bluffs after they graduate from high school. My main area of expertise right now is creating belonging - making whoever approaches me feel like they belong here and finding them the place that they fit, like a good puzzle piece. What I love most about my work is watching those connections be made and watching people be excited about the position they're in, whether in their community or in the work they're doing.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rachel
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
A very close friend said to me something that I used to have posted on my computer: don't set yourself on fire to keep others warm. This means having boundaries right away, and once you set those boundaries, stick to them. You can burn out physically, emotionally, and mentally. Having those boundaries established early allows you to do your best work and not sacrifice yourself. It's about not shrinking yourself or becoming less than you are.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
A very close friend said to me something that I used to have posted on my computer: don't set yourself on fire to keep others warm. Have those boundaries right away, and once you set those boundaries, stick to them. You can burn out physically, you can burn out emotionally, you can burn out mentally. Having those established early means you can do your best work and not sacrifice yourself. Not setting yourself on fire to keep others warm could also mean not shrinking and becoming less.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges that has already been successful in my area is just moving forward away from siloed initiatives - coming together as a community to drive efforts to make our community even better or thrive better than it already is. That has been so cool to see and to be a part of. The other challenge is what every millennial is feeling and Gen Z is recognizing: finding that work-life balance, finding the balance and making a difference at home, but also making a difference in your community and in the workplace, and making sure that it's a healthy balance.
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