In my last two posts, I wrote about the unexpected power of showing up, whether by attending a professional event or volunteering within a broader community. But showing up isn’t limited to external networks or association roles. Sometimes the most impactful opportunities to grow and lead start right where we work. That was certainly true for me early in my legal career, when a volunteer opportunity within my own office helped shape the path to becoming an ombuds.
At the time, I was working in the Tax Section of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, litigating state and local tax cases. The work was intellectually interesting, but I didn’t love the adversarial nature of litigation. I found myself looking for a different way to address disputes, something more constructive. So, when I learned that the Open Meeting Law Enforcement Team needed extra support, I raised my hand. The team helped resolve allegations involving Arizona’s open meeting laws, an area rooted in transparency and public trust. I began volunteering to help investigate complaints and provide training to public officials across the state.
It wasn’t part of my job description, and I wasn’t looking to switch career paths. But the experience I gained helping people navigate gray areas, balancing legal requirements with public accountability, and responding to concerns with neutrality and clarity turned out to be incredibly formative.
Not long after, the Arizona State Legislature created a new position within the Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens’ Aide Office, one of only five statewide ombudsman offices in the country. The role was designed to assist both citizens and public officials in navigating Arizona’s open meeting and public records laws. The experience I’d gained while volunteering made me a strong candidate, and I was ultimately selected to launch and lead that effort. That role became my first official position as an ombudsman.
Sometimes we think of volunteering as something “extra,” a nice-to-have if we have the time. But raising your hand inside your own organization can be a powerful way to grow your skills, expand your network, and uncover new directions for your career. It’s not always about recognition or titles. It’s about experience and presence.
So, if a project pops up at work that’s a little outside your lane, and you feel that tug of interest or curiosity, consider saying yes. You never know where it might lead.
By: Elizabeth Hill, Associate Director, University of Colorado Ombuds Office and Co-editor of Ombuds Blog