Guest Blog:
Bren Boddy-Thomas, Exchange Bank, HDI Member Advisory Board Western Region Director, Local Chapter Officer, San Francisco Local Chapter
I joined HDI 7 years ago to get educated on this IT world. I came from a Customer Service background and was given the task to create a Help Desk. I didn’t know IT, but I knew Customer Service. I came to HDI to fill in the blanks, little did I know…that HDI would change my life.
I took the HDI Support Center Analyst class and became certified. That information helped me understand the world I was working in and the departments I was working with. HDI helped me understand the language and translate geek speak to our callers, a BIG help! I attended meetings at my local chapter and became involved. I have always volunteered in my community so I joined the board of the San Francisco chapter and began giving back to the industry that helped and supported me. By joining the board, I grew my leadership skills, networked with others in my local area and continued my education in the IT industry by attending our meetings and training sessions.
After a few years on the board, I felt like I’d gained a lot of insight into the industry and really enjoyed giving back to my peers. HDI reached out to me to speak on their behalf during a marketing summit they held in San Francisco. During that speech I said “Everything I know about running my Help Desk, I learned from HDI”. An absolutely TRUE statement! The “MY HDI” campaign came out of that and with it….a few people recognized me. ME?! This little Help Desk Manager from a small city in Northern California. Not long after that, HDI asked me to speak during Customer Service Week, I joined the HDI Member Advisory Board, I joined my local Junior College Computer Science Advisory Board and recently I was elected President of the San Francisco Chapter.
Most importantly, everything I’ve learned through HDI has benefited me at work. My company recognized me and the work I’m doing and I was promoted. My department has been tops in our internal surveys for several years running and is well-respected by our company.
It’s also benefited me personally. I wanted to be confident enough to speak in public and now I am. This year I was on the faculty of HDI 2010 and I spoke at our community’s largest charity fundraiser event. I’ve also made friendships all over the world with the people I’ve met at conferences.
None of this would have been possible without my connection to HDI. I’ve grown, I’ve learned, I’ve given back. What are you waiting for? Get involved! You never know what you might get….or who you might help by giving back.
