Kara Greer is a full-time Global Project Manager at Schneider Electric and a mother of six children. She lives in the Nashville area and has an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering, as well as an MBA and a Master’s Degree in Cyber Security.
She shares how she manages to balance work, life and volunteering thanks to support from Schneider Electric.
Giving back to her community
Volunteering has always been an integral part of Kara's life and who she is as a person. She has been giving back to her community since high school. One of the first big events that she organized was a Red Cross blood drive at her high school, which was the largest high school in Missouri at the time. During her college years she was in Alpha Chi Omega sorority at Washington University, and was very involved in sponsoring the Special Olympics on campus.
"Now that I am a working mother, I am grateful that the amazing company I work for, Schneider Electric makes it so very easy for me to continue giving back to my community," says Kara.
"The culture here at Schneider Electric is supportive of giving back to the community. Schneider encourages me to build homes for Habitat for Humanity, teach Junior Achievement classes, participate in countless Special Olympic and Special Kids Therapy events, raise money through the Dragon Boat races to clean up the Cumberland River in Nashville, and the list goes on and on."
"One of our core values at Schneider is ‘to put customers first by going above and beyond’. The families of our customers live in our communities, so by giving back, we are fortifying this core value," she adds.
A rewarding volunteering experience
As a member of the volunteer Board for Special Kids Therapy and Nursing Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Kara is able to experience first-hand how charitable contributions benefit the community. Special Kids serves children who simply need a little extra help, children who are medically fragile, and all sorts of diagnoses in between.
In March of each year, Special Kids hosts a 5k/10k/15k race that is its largest annual fund raiser.
"I am blessed to be one of the Course Directors for this race. As a Board Member, the Schneider Electric NAM Foundation contributes a check each year to help with our budget to pay for therapy needs of special needs kids. There are dozens of Schneider Electric employees that work in the Nashville area that participate in this race," explains Kara.
"The Special Kids Race is so very rewarding. I cannot think of a better way to spend my Saturday! Many therapy recipients come to cheer for the runners and wow, it is amazing to see how much the kids love seeing the community support them and to see how excited the community is about this event. It really makes all my time spent coordinating the race worth it," she adds.
"Watching the participants run for those that are not able to even walk without assistance is a very rewarding experience. I am reminded that it’s really not about seeing if I can run a race, but it’s about helping others run their race in their way – by using a wheel chair, using a rolling walker, or by getting a new running personal record."
Balancing work, community service, and her family
"The well-being initiatives Schneider Electric supports go beyond just SE employees, but also touch employee’s children as well as many others in the communities where we work. My own children learn how important it is to give back, and they understand that the company I work for supports me 100%," says Kara.
"As a matter of fact, two of my children that are currently Engineering Interns for SE at the Nashville HUB also came out and helped set up the Race."
Even with a demanding work schedule, pressure to meet deadlines, and family commitments, Kara feels empowered to set aside the time to give back through volunteering.
"I am blessed to be able to help others live better lives and to help them feel connected to folks in similar situations," she adds.
"Schneider Electric is committed to supporting our community and making it a better place to live. I strongly believe in giving back and volunteering through all of the many opportunities Schneider allows."
Work for supportive employer, Schneider Electric
How could you make a difference through a career at Schneider Electric? The company seeks out employees who reflect the diversity of the communities in which they operate. They are committed to giving back helping build a more sustainable future and are looking for people with a passion for success.
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