At VMware, we believe everyone has something unique to contribute to our society. Our culture of service influences the way we interact with others – inside and outside of work. As such, we are all Citizen Philanthropists, empowered to support what is most meaningful to us through VMware Foundation programs. VMware’s culture of service is a key pillar of the equity outcomes of VMware’s 2030 Agenda, as Citizen Philanthropy provides equal access to VMware’s charitable resources for all VMware people around the world.
This month we checked in with Jen Cronin, Talent Acquisition Manager based in Cork, Ireland, to learn more about her recent Service Learning experience.
Jen Cronin: I joined VMware in July 2014 as an intern on the Revenue Team. After completing my internship, I moved to the Talent Acquisition Team in 2015, so I have been at VMware for eight years in total. I learned about the VMware Foundation during my New Employee Experience as an intern. Every quarter we set off as a team to complete a half-day or full-day Service Learning. This was a great experience as you were giving back to the community and, at the same time, getting to bond as a team outside of the office and work environment.
A group of VMware people recently completed a Service Learning event with Cork Penny Dinners which is one of Cork’s oldest charitable organizations. The organization is currently serving between 500 – 700 meals a day to anyone in the community who is in need. Being from Cork, I was aware of Cork Penny Dinners and previously had done some volunteer activities with them. The VMware Foundation team had recently posted some local Service Learning opportunities that were available, and Cork Penny Dinners was one of the nonprofits looking for volunteers, so four of us from my team decided we would go serve together, and we had an unforgettable experience. During our time at Cork Penny Dinners, we prepared sandwiches, and lunch bags prepped vegetables for cooking, and got takeaway lunches ready for the next day.
I find the opportunity to take part in such initiatives amazing, and it is supported by our leadership down. Giving back to the community is something we sometimes forget to consider and take part in when caught up in our day-to-day lives. It is important for me to work for a company that has a culture of community; Service Learning gives you a sense of achievement, and you find yourself refreshed after spending a day doing work for a nonprofit and getting to engage and collaborate with people outside VMware. I am proud to work for an organization that encourages service so much.
Read more stories from our #WeAreCitizenPhilanthropists Series by following the hashtag on LinkedIn & Instagram
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