The VISTA Project

Jared joined TMA in 2023 as a VISTA Leader, transitioning from a year of laborious direct service in the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) to a role focused on capacity building, leadership, and technical skills. His decision to apply for the TMA VISTA Leader position was driven by a desire to challenge himself and develop a completely new professional skill set.

The Challenge
One of the most persistent operational hurdles Jared faced upon entering the role was realizing how rusty his software skills had become. Because his previous service in NCCC was primarily physical, manual labor, he had rarely utilized the computer and digital skills learned in high school and college. Relearning and mastering these technical administrative skills was a steep, unexpected challenge essential for performing his duties effectively.

The Solution
Jared stepped forward to resolve this bottleneck by actively leaning into professional development. He took advantage of the workshops offered by the host site and focused on mastering the digital tools required to coordinate and support his cohort. Additionally, he leaned into his natural gravitation toward leadership, prioritizing direct communication, networking, and engagement with like-minded individuals to bridge the gap between his past hands-on experience and his new administrative responsibilities.

The Legacy
Jared’s leadership and engagement framework left a lasting impact on his cohort. The ultimate highlight of his experience was witnessing the capacity-building projects of the VISTAs unfold over their service year. Listening to them discuss their work and motivations provided an inspiring environment that not only boosted his own sense of self-worth but also solidified a permanent commitment to lifelong civic service.

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Life After VISTA

Following the conclusion of his service in 2024, Jared successfully leveraged the leadership, technical proficiency, and professional development skills gained during his VISTA year to transition into a career in state-level civic engagement. He currently serves as a Success Coach for the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation. Today, he operates as a collaborative public service professional, directly applying his experience to change the public perception of service years and helping hundreds of Maryland service members recognize their inner value and thrive.