What am I going to accomplish in Ghana?

As part of our preparation activities, we are asked to document our goals for this adventure to Ghana.  It's quite a thought-provoking exercise, as there are many dimensions to this.

On a personal front, I see this as an adventure, an opportunity to explore a new part of the world, that I am unlikely to get to on my own.  Africa is that unknown place, that scary place, that we don't think of going to, except some very selected countries.  I am going outside my comfort zone, and stretching my sense of what I can safely do.  I hope to learn the lessons of what I perceive to be the slower cultures, where life is enjoyed and we aren't trying to be efficient and productive all the time.  I'm not sure I can make that kind of change, but I'm going to observe and learn from it for sure.

I'm also looking forward to the next stage of my life, where family and perhaps work, are not filling my day.  I would like a larger part of my life to be dedicated to community service.  I believe there will be lessons to be learned during this adventure about what these organizations need and how to lead in such an environment.  

On a professional front, of course I want to make an impact with the organizations we are engaged with.  This is very open ended at this time, since we have no information about our assignments.  What kind of companies will we work with?  What is the request of us?  How will my team blend to best deliver a meaningful solution?  Will I have the right skills to contribute to my team's results?  The feedback from IBMers who have participated in the past was so strong, I feel that IBM and the NGO will help us to be successful.

Both professionally and personally, I want to grow my personal skills, by becoming a more understanding individual in our multicultural world.   Upon hearing that I was going to spend a month in Ghana, several people said to me "It will change you".   I'm open to change!!   My goal will be to take advantage of these opportunities to learn, and to make them permanent, long-lived changes that benefit both my life at IBM and my personal life. 

Emily's first thoughts on the CSC assignment

I learned I had been selected for IBM's Corporate Services Corp after a long day planning a "Day of Service" event to celebrate IBM's 100th Anniversary.  I was already high on the way our project was coming together - sending approximately 500 IBMers out into 200 Grade 6 classrooms to lead activities promoting innovation and creativity.  To find out I had been chosen put me over the top.  I felt so lucky to work for a company like IBM where these things could be considered "my job"!

Here's a picture of me "on the job" with the team who went to Northern Lights school for a day. We had a great time challenging (and being challenged by) the students! We even had the press there!

At that time I had no idea where I would be sent or what the scope of work would be.  I could only describe it to non-IBMers as the business equivalent of the Peace Corps, where we would be assigned to developing countries to provide consulting to assist economic development of businesses selected by the NGO's that IBM's foundation worked with.   We'll see when I finish whether this description was accurate!

When I learned that I was assigned to a team in Ghana, I have to admit it was scary!  What did I know about Ghana - not much!!  I immediately go find my encyclopedia - the internet - to start to learn.  My husband Howard's immediate reaction was "Is it safe?" and he sent me the result of a few internet searches of his own ("Cholera outbreak in Ghana" was one).   I did wonder about that.  I am an avid runner and need to know if I can run there.  Will I get sick with something that affects me for a long time?   Many questions still to be answered through more research and conversation with those who have gone before.