The desired fit between professionals and their workplace hinges on compatibility across factors such as culture, responsibilities, values, and more. Currently in my third stint with the Deloitte US-India Offices, I feel that my association with this organization has evolved from strength to strength over the years. My mentors, leaders, and peers have shared opportunities to help me pursue my professional ambitions. They have also been thoroughly supportive of my personal goal of bringing about impactful social change.
A chilly day that warmed my heart for a lifetime
Over a decade ago, when I was working in Delhi through its challenging winter season, I witnessed a colleague collecting hand-me-downs from professionals in my office. This person was trying to refurbish discarded clothes to donate to construction site workers. And among these, the clothes, that were too tattered to be worn, were stitched together as blankets for stray animals. We were shivering within our concrete and steel walls, while there was a whole world of people out there who were yearning for some warmth for mere survival. Seeing this plight firsthand ignited my calling—to work toward bringing about a change. Over the last four years, I have been able to provide new and refurbished pieces of clothing to schoolchildren, construction site workers, and the underprivileged on many occasions.
I also reached out to local government representatives of a girl child welfare program and began volunteering by teaching young girls science and mathematics. Seeing those inquisitive minds struggle to grasp technical terms in English, I realized I had to improvise my methods of teaching. I remember how I explained the formation of Earth by giving the example of an onion and drawing an analogy with its concentric layers, and the children immediately grasped the concept. Looking back at that session, it is quite telling how the layers of onion could be a metaphor for my growth at Deloitte—a concentric expansion both professionally and personally, with the core rooted in our purpose of making an impact that matters.
The early months of the Covid-19 pandemic saw hordes of urban laborers being pushed out of their places of employment. During these weeks, I was able to collaborate with an NGO and mobilize volunteers to procure and distribute essential grains and necessities for several families. Due to the nature of the situation, we also focused on raising awareness on how to mitigate the spread of the virus and provided face masks, which were stitched by the women of these families themselves. Creating a self-sufficient system of employment was the need of the hour.
When it all fits into place
Over the years, I have discovered that the purpose and Shared Values at Deloitte, and the principles that I aim to live by align quite well. The larger organization and my individual contributions converge upon my vision for the world I wish to build. Being actively involved in its community-focused programs such as Impact Every Day and Deloitte Employee Giving Program, I continue to work toward causes close to my heart and find avenues to bring sustainable and meaningful change. When I work with like-minded colleagues to contribute toward society—through initiatives such as book reading sessions, voice recordings for the visually impaired, or making a monetary pledge toward a cause—I am amazed to see how every drop goes on to create a sea of change.
The impact I have made in people’s lives has come back to me in many rewarding and surprising ways. Those young girls whom I taught math, science, and basic life skills to have grown up to become capable young women. Being a part of their journey of empowerment, knowing that they took ownership of their education and future despite all adversity, and seeing the impact that our actions leave for years to come, makes me want to give more and contribute more, always.
About the author
Aarthi Rao is a manager with the CoRe support services at the Deloitte USI Offices in Hyderabad. She has experience in knowledge management, content management, knowledge strategy, and project management. She is committed to her volunteer work that focuses on providing basic necessities and access to education for young children.
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