Impact, Without Even Realizing It

One of the things I often say to clients that connect with me who are in the 50 or above age range, is even though they are hoping that the job they are seeking is the last job search they will need to endure, and that where they land will “take them to retirement”, to not look at that point as “the end of the line.”  I have no better examples of that then my wife and myself.  Yes, we are officially what one would call “retired,” from our first careers, (me as a programming manager, Carolina as an elementary school teacher).  Yes, we both are fortunate to receive pensions from our long-time job roles and now Social Security payments.  However, we both have found items that have kept us active and ideally “making an impact” on the individuals with whom we connect.

This month’s quote on the Absolute Transitions website, from Jackie Robinson, is all about impact on others.  I find that those who look to stay active in what had historically been known as “their retirement years,” is all about wanting to make an impact to help individuals.  Many of the fellow coaches, (especially those in the job search and career coaching sector) are like me in that they are in the 60 and above age range.  We love to take the time to listen to the needs of the individuals we support, provide them guidance, be a sounding board on strategies in their job searches.  

And, while I speak frequently in my writings about the impact that coaches may have on those in job search, I want to dedicate this blog to my wife Carolina, for the impact she has had on those with whom she has come in contact since retiring as a full-time teacher 14 years ago.

Carolina’s school system roles took advantage of the fact that she is fully bilingual.  Having come to the United States as a Cuban refugee in 1960, she was born with full fluency in Spanish, and learned English quickly once coming to the United States as an eight-year-old.  During her school years, many of them were spent as either an English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor, or bi-lingual program, looking to mainstream Spanish speaking students into English speaking classrooms.  

Even before retiring, Carolina started looking for ways to give back with the skills that she possessed.  She learned about Literacy Volunteers of America, and helping to provide ESL training to those who were adults who had come to the United States.  Often, she would do her tutoring sessions with these students in local libraries.  One of the libraries approached her several years back and asked if she would be willing to conduct ESL sessions for them, (fully on a volunteer basis), as they knew many of the libraries constituents had asked for them.  She agreed to do so.  This continued for several years, before the sessions were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, that eliminated in-person meetings.

While many students came and went from the sessions, a handful were regular participants.  Carolina, sought a way to continue with them.  She noticed, that I as a coach was fully operational using Zoom technology with my clients.  She asked me, if Zoom could be used by her with her students.  I showed her the inner workings of the technology, she contacted her regular participants, and continued sessions with them.

One of the students has gone on to run her own laundry business in New York City, having come to the United States from China with little in the way of English skills.  A second from Brazil has become a teacher’s aide in a school for pre-school children in her neighborhood.  The Brazilian student has introduced Carolina to several of her nieces and nephews in Brazil for English tutoring sessions, (thank God for Zoom), which has been going on nearly 3 full years.  

Recently the Brazilian student summed up best what Carolina has meant in her life.  She said how when she came to the USA with her husband and family, she did not know English at all.  She felt frustrated being able to communicate with others.  But, with Carolina’s time and patience, she has not only grown in her comfort with the language, but has come to count on Carolina not only as her teacher but one of her closest friends.

I was with Carolina, when this friend expressed her appreciation of Carolina and the role she has had in her life and her adapting to her new home country.  Even Carolina had not realized “The Impact,” she had had on this individual.  However, then that is what happens, when you do what you do, from a basis of helping others and not look at it from your own perspective.

Every one of us, especially when we are focused on sharing our time and talents, has an impact on other individuals.  We may not even realize we are doing so, but it is why we are here to help others.  Whom, may you influence in 2025, with your time and talents?

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