Nick Brady
I’d teach new members about summer events and go over the history of the organization, but my involvement with Push America was hovering around the minimum. I’d go to the events I was asked to attend, but I never pursued anything out of my own want.
Even the following year as Leadership Consultant for Pi Kappa Phi, I found myself saying how awesome Push America is and how brothers found a new fraternity through Journey of Hope, Build America or Gear Up Florida. I was recruiting members and telling them how Push America makes Pi Kappa Phi different from all other fraternities. I was going through the motions and I knew it. I was talking the talk, but not walking the walk. I believed in the organization and the mission, but I didn’t know why.
Finally, in 2012, as an alum and past staff, I found myself in position to make a life decision. I could follow my gut and pursue Journey of Hope (the adventure/challenge that kept me up at night) or I could go back out and find another desk job.
It wasn’t easy, but I finally decided to acknowledge the decision my heart had made a long time ago and signed up.
That summer, I cycled the Journey of Hope North route, and was privileged to return as the Project Manager in 2013. My summers with Push America have completely changed my perception of the world around me. I am suddenly more aware of all people’s abilities. My experiences with my teammates will be some of the fondest memories of my life. Most surprising of all, the self-development I experienced exceeded my expectations. Ironically, through a summer of service, I was the one who grew and was helped.
People are always searching for passion. Be that hiring managers, recruiters, friends or even family. People want to be assured that there are folks out there that are willing to make a difference.
The events are limitless. That is one of the great things about Push America; don’t think that because you are fresh out of college, you don’t have the ability to contribute to Push America in some way, big or small. Instead, challenge yourself to find a way to contribute. I can honestly say that my experience with Push America has not only shown me what fraternity truly means, it has provided me with the tools to help others realize that as well.