What I Learned Outside the Office: Volunteering as a Des Moines Intern

As a Human Resources intern this summer, Addison helped organize a hospitality tent at the Des Moines Arts Festival, an event where Athene hosts a community mural project in partnership with ArtForce Iowa. Following the festival, the mural was donated to Lincoln High School, where it will be permanently installed on campus, helping motivate students for years to come and standing as a lasting symbol of the community pride and collaboration that brought it to life.

"Volunteering and planning events at the Arts Festival as an intern deepened my appreciation for how the corporate community invests in local organizations," Addison said. "There's a lot that goes into putting on an event and getting to see everything come together behind the scenes has been really rewarding."

For Addison, the experience was about more than coordinating an event. It gave her an opportunity to make an impact on the community while also strengthening her planning, communication and relationship-building skills that can be difficult to learn in a classroom. By stepping into unfamiliar situations and meeting new people, she gained confidence in her ability to connect with others and lead outside her comfort zone.

Planning With Purpose

For Livvy Curry, a senior at the University of Iowa studying finance and human resources, volunteering became an unexpected highlight of her internship experience.

As an Insurance Operations intern this summer, Livvy helped plan and coordinate a cabinet building event for Habitat for Humanity. She was responsible for arranging key details that helped bring the event to life, from communicating with vendors and managing internal approvals to organizing a luncheon where a Habitat home recipient shared their story.

"Organizing the Habitat for Humanity Cabinet Build was one of the highlights of my internship and gave me the opportunity to coordinate the event from start to finish while building relationships with peers and leaders who share the same passion as me," Livvy said. "It was especially rewarding to give back by volunteering and helping organize an event that supported Habitat for Humanity and the families they serve."

The experience offered Livvy more than a chance to give back. Taking ownership of a real event from the ground up helped her develop problem-solving skills that can only come with hands-on responsibility. She left the experience with a stronger professional foundation and a deeper appreciation for what it means to serve the Greater Des Moines community.

Years of Service, Moments of Impact

For Daniel Valencia, volunteering has been just as valuable for his own growth as it has been for the community.

As a vendor risk manager and longtime member of Athene's Volunteer Committee, Daniel has helped organize and participate in volunteer events with organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, United Way and more. Through years of service, he's learned that meaningful impact is often built through small, consistent acts of giving.

"I volunteer because I know that the small things we do eventually serve a larger purpose," Daniel said. "Seeing kids happy about the beds we help make at Sleep in Heavenly Peace and the faces of families getting homes we helped build with Habitat for Humanity are what I see when I think of the impact we have on the Greater Des Moines area."

Organizing volunteer events has allowed Daniel to make a meaningful impact on his community while developing skills that extend far beyond community service. Through leading projects and collaborating with colleagues across the organization, he has grown as both a leader and a team player. His advice for those beginning their careers is simple: get involved early. The relationships you build and the experiences you gain can shape your career just as much as the work you do in the office.

Planting the Seeds for Growth

For Janel Allison, volunteering is an opportunity to protect the places she enjoys while building connections with colleagues across Athene.

As a senior marketing analytics manager and member of Athene's Volunteer Committee, Janel has supported initiatives aligned with key philanthropic pillars of education, environmental sustainability, health and well-being and human services. While she values every opportunity to give back, environmental sustainability holds a special place for her.

This July, Janel led the Athene North Shore volunteer event in celebration of Disability Appreciation Month with Athene’s Advancing Abilities Partnership employee resource group. Volunteers helped with gardening and seed harvesting as well as learned from an on-site occupational therapist. Developed in partnership with Polk County Conservation and the Greater Outdoors Foundation, Athene North Shore was intentionally designed to make outdoor recreation more accessible.

"My passion for volunteering and environmental sustainability comes from my interest in being outdoors and sustaining an Earth that future generations can also enjoy," Janel said. "Participating in corporate volunteer events has allowed me to meet new people from different departments that I normally wouldn't have been able to meet on a typical business day."

Through her volunteer work, Janel has found opportunities to support causes she cares about while strengthening relationships across the company. She hopes others will take advantage of their company’s volunteer opportunities, knowing that even a few hours of service can create lasting benefits for both the community and the people who volunteer.

Give Back, Grow More

Across every story, one theme emerges clearly: individuals are extremely passionate about their community and volunteering. It's something they choose, and something they grow from. The skills built in the office, volunteering through local organizations or at a community networking event like the ones I attended through the DSM Intern Connection, are what help create a foundation of individuals willing to grow and support the community throughout DSM.

Learn more at athene.com/careers.

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