Friday Feature: Kaitlin Shelby
Behind the feature
Kait's story
Your name: Kaitlin Shelby
Your role at Volunteers of America Michigan: Data and Creative Lead
What brought you to this position? I was working as a graphic designer for a commercial printing company when the opportunity came up for me to join the Volunteers of America Michigan family. I remember thinking to myself in my interview this is exactly where I am meant to be. I grew up in a family that always taught me to love others in a practical way, so finding a career that allows me to incorporate my love for people with my love for design was like a dream come true. I get to come to work and make a difference. Even on the most stressful days, I feel full when I get home. I can’t ask for more than that.
What is your biggest takeaway from working with Volunteers of America Michigan? I love the relationships I have gained since starting in this position: both with my coworkers and our clients. I feel incredibly grateful and honored to get to be a part of what we are doing and a lot of my job is inviting others to be a part of that, too.
What is your biggest challenge in this position? My biggest challenge is making sure I am properly representing our clients and our work with every social media post, brochure, etc. Switching over to non-profit was a big change from previous positions.
Where is your dream vacation spot? I have a long list of places I want to visit. A couple would be Seattle (I have a dream of catching a fish at the Public Market), Alaska, Iceland, Rome, and so many more. Actually, I think a dream vacation to me would consist of getting to see as many places as possible in one trip.
What is your favorite book? I read a lot, and different books stand out to me for different reasons. A couple that are often in the back of my mind are“The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, “The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo” by Amy Schumer, and “Dangerous Wonder” by Michael Yaconelli.
How do you spend your time outside of the office? I spend my time doing freelance work, refinishing projects, running, riding my bike, and trying to invest in my relationships outside of my work life.