Giving back to the community is something that my parents instilled in me early in my childhood. And with my life experience, I believe that empowering the youth is the best way I can give back to society. Elementary and middle school outreach has always been something I devoted a substantial amount of time to in some way, shape, or form. Last weekend’s volunteering event was supposed to be one such outreach effort. But what ensued, beyond having a tremendous effect on the immediate community, also profoundly impacted me.
When I arrived at the park, I was greeted by a TV camera van. I was surprised to see the van, but I did not pause to reflect on the significance of what I was about to witness. I signed up to help a group of volunteers from SLB and the Astros Foundation pack various items, such as onions, apples, and bananas, from big cartons into small meal packs, which people in need can take with them. I also helped direct the traffic off and on during this time. Seeing how many cards flowed into the various parking lots, I began to realize the scope of the event I was at. After about an hour of helping the crew pack the meals and directing traffic, I began to make my way toward the field where the inauguration ceremony was about to start.
As I walked closer to the field, I saw starry-eyed little leaguers eager to play in their new uniforms and on a fresh field. I got the honor to meet and shake hands with many elected representatives, including Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, State Representative Jolanda Jones, Honorable Wanda Adams, and a few SLB leaders, including James McDonald and Bruce Miller. I saw SLB’s leaders embodying SLB’s community impact value and how we value people inside and outside our company. I observed how the different politicians interacted with each other, the members of the community, and the representatives from SLB, and vice versa. I also noticed that I was quieter than usual. I was walking towards the back of the crowd in an effort not only to not obstruct anyone from observing the event with my 6’2″ presence but also to get to a vantage point where I could observe how this diverse group of people interacted with each other.
Later, upon introspection, I realized that I was silent because I was unprepared for what the day was. I am an introvert by nature, but I make myself comfortable with being around other people by taking some time to prepare for the type of interaction I am about to encounter. If I were more aware of what I was about to encounter today, I would have taken a mental note of the social questions I wanted to ask my company’s leaders and the elected representatives. Once I break the ice with the material I prepared, I find it easier to continue the conversation. Sans my preparation, I just fell back and observed. I learned how important preparation is for me in such situations. As congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was walking out, she looked at me. She gave me a thumbs up – a common gesture for a politician, I am sure, but it had a significant impact on how I felt at that moment. During this time, I also met the HR representative who coordinated the hiring and organization of the internship program at Halliburton, where I had worked one summer. I conveyed how thankful I was for encountering her during one fateful evening at a Halliburton info session – an evening that played a significant role in launching my career in the energy industry.
After the inauguration event, I returned to the area where we were distributing bags of food. I helped distribute food to a number of people before I left the event for the day. I am glad to have been a part of this incredible effort to empower kids and provide them with opportunities to play baseball, where they will learn many life skills and gather memories they will cherish when they grow older. And personally, I am glad to have made an effort to show up on this day; for the lack of effort, I would have missed an incredible experience that I will remember for some time to come!