{"id":3049,"date":"2021-07-16T09:02:40","date_gmt":"2021-07-16T16:02:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.piercecountywa.gov\/executive\/?p=3049"},"modified":"2023-06-26T13:33:51","modified_gmt":"2023-06-26T20:33:51","slug":"my-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.piercecountywa.gov\/executive\/2021\/07\/16\/my-why\/","title":{"rendered":"My “why”"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

I\u2019m right back where I started. Well, kinda.<\/p>\n

When many people think of working for local government, job security and good benefits come to mind. To be honest, that\u2019s why I initially applied to Pierce County over 22 years ago.<\/p>\n

I first joined the Pierce County Executive\u2019s Office in March 1999. I had little-to-no knowledge about local government (I learned the staff were motivated by the fact that I had experience with Microsoft Word as they were switching over from WordPerfect) but I quickly learned with the bird\u2019s eye view working at the front desk as an office assistant.<\/p>\n

More than 22 years, two departments and six titles later, I\u2019m back working in the Executive\u2019s Office as an executive assistant.\u00a0 And, my \u201cwhy\u201d has changed.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. I\u2019m invested in my community. There are a lot of ways people contribute — by volunteering at a food bank or coaching a little league team. But working for Pierce County means I\u2019m investing in my community where I live, work and play, five days a week, every week of the year. When I sit down at my desk each day, I know my efforts are contributing to the bigger picture. And so are yours!<\/li>\n
  2. It\u2019s meaningful, challenging work. Local government is significant because our work is ultimately tied to building and improving communities. County leadership takes the aspirations of residents and the policy goals of the elected and puts those goals into action.<\/li>\n
  3. The people. For me, enjoying who I work with plays a huge (and deciding) factor in where I work. Let\u2019s be honest. We spend more of our waking hours during the week with our colleagues than we do our family and friends. I\u2019ve been very fortunate to work with some of the most creative, innovative and passionate individuals who really care about Pierce County\u2019s mission to build strong communities. Collaborating with scores of talented and passionate people on topics that really matter and affect our community is a big reason I\u2019m here — and by working with them I have stepped up my game.<\/li>\n
  4. Work\/Life balance is encouraged. As important as our work is, we\u2019re reminded to take time for ourselves. In fact, just last week we were all given a gentle nudge to take the opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate \u2013 thanks HR! Work\/life balance is critical for our mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. And I\u2019m appreciative that my boss (and former bosses) advocate it!<\/li>\n
  5. Diversity is embraced. During my second week as an executive assistant, I received an email from a colleague which read, \u201cThere are not many women of color that are in our positions. I love seeing that you are in your new role. It inspires me that one day I can do the same.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>She included an inspirational poem written by Amanda Gorman titled, “The Miracle of Morning.<\/a>” It didn\u2019t dawn on me that I was the first Asian-American in this position. But another colleague did \u2013 and that\u2019s major. Our county is home to more than 900,000 people of varying ethnic, cultural, societal, political, religious, geographic, economic, and educational backgrounds and identities. And this diversity should be represented within our workforce. Knowing Pierce County is actively working to create and maintain an accessible, inclusive, and diverse workforce is everything.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Returning to the Executive\u2019s Office where it all started for me places me back in a position where I get an aerial view of all that\u2019s going on and it\u2019s exciting to see all the amazing projects in the works.<\/p>\n

    Pierce County isn\u2019t just a place to work. For me, it\u2019s an opportunity to serve our neighbors and make a difference in our community. Working here means you have the chance to be a part of providing services for an amazingly diverse population. And I\u2019m 100% in this camp.<\/p>\n

    What\u2019s your why?<\/p>\n

    Thank you for reading,<\/p>\n

    Lillian Allred<\/p>\n

    \"\"Lillian Allred is Executive Assistant to County Executive Bruce Dammeier.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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