It started with a committee. A small project. A “sure, I’ll help with that.”
Looking back, I can see how those small yeses became something much bigger. They shaped not only my career, but also my confidence, skills, and sense of purpose.
One of my earliest volunteer roles was with the ABA Law Student Division when I was still in law school. That experience introduced me to the power of professional community and the value of stepping up, even when you’re just starting out. After graduation, I remained active through the ABA Young Lawyers Division, taking on various volunteer and leadership roles, including serving as a representative to the State Bar of Arizona. That period of service was incredibly formative and led to one of my proudest early honors: being named Arizona’s Young Lawyer of the Year in 2007.
Years later, one of my first yeses with the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution led to the launch of what is now Ombuds Day. What began as a simple idea has grown into an international initiative that raises awareness about ombuds roles and brings practitioners together from around the world. It’s a powerful reminder that even small contributions can grow into something meaningful.
And it hasn’t just been national organizations. I’ve volunteered with local nonprofits, served on community boards, and spent years helping in my kids’ schools. Every one of those roles has taught me something new and brought me closer to the people and places I care about.
Over the past decade, I’ve taken on a variety of leadership roles within the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution. This August, I’ll step into the role of Section Chair. It’s been a fulfilling journey filled with unexpected opportunities, personal growth, and lasting connections.
Here’s what I’ve learned: some of the best career development happens outside your job description.
Volunteering builds skills you may not get to use in your regular job. Through volunteer roles, I’ve managed budgets, led strategic planning, developed communications campaigns, planned national conferences, and worked with teams across sectors and time zones. Each new role gave me tools, confidence, and perspective that I’ve carried back to my everyday work.
It also expands your network in the best possible way. When you show up consistently and work toward a shared goal, meaningful relationships form. Some of the most valuable professional connections I’ve made started through volunteering. Many of them have become trusted collaborators, mentors, or lifelong friends.
It reconnects you to what you love. Volunteer leadership helps me remember why I entered this field in the first place. It’s energizing to contribute to something larger than yourself. Something focused on building a stronger profession and a more connected community.
And sometimes, it opens doors to your next career move. Volunteering doesn’t just enhance your résumé. It gives others a clear view of how you lead, collaborate, and contribute. In my case, these roles have helped me grow into new opportunities and may even influence what’s ahead.
Whether it’s a professional association, a local nonprofit, or your child’s classroom, these experiences matter. They shape how we show up in every part of our lives.
If you’ve been wondering whether you have the time, experience, or know-how to get involved, let me gently offer this: you don’t have to do it all. Start small. Say yes to something that sparks your interest. Show up, follow through, and stay curious.
Sometimes the best way to grow your career isn’t by climbing higher. It’s by reaching out.
By Elizabeth Hill, Associate Director, University of Colorado Ombuds Office, and Co-Editor of Ombuzz