Name: Brandon Henneman
School:
Class: 1995
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Occupation: Nonprofit Administration
What was your career path leading up to your current job?
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Well, that has been a long and winding road! After high school I wasn't sure what I wanted to do career wise and had many different jobs.
My first "real" job was working in the family business, which is transportation. I was office manager there for about five years. I made the move into the nonprofit sector working in the development office of my current employer for about six months, where I managed our annual fund.
Next, I did some public policy/economic development research at Policy Matters Ohio and then Cleveland State University.
That was followed by my current job, which is as Volunteer Program Manager at the Shaker Lakes Regional Nature Center.
What does your job entail, and what is your career goal?
I manage the volunteer program at a nonprofit nature center. This keeps me pretty busy as we have over 250 volunteers working with us each year. I do a variety of other things there that aren't exactly related to volunteering.
An example of that was taking twelve fifth and sixth graders camping and rock climbing in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park this summer.
My primary career goal is that I continue to do work that is meaningful and enriches people’s lives in some way, with a secondary goal being to run my own nonprofit someday.
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
Graduating with honors from Cleveland State University.
What’s your favorite high school memory?
All of the time I spent with my basketball and football teammates. This includes the training, practicing, games and of course goofing around in the off-season.
Come to think of it, we goofed around all the time during the season as well!
Which restaurant, social gathering place or other place did you enjoy spending time at in the Falls when you were in school?
in the summer. Pick-up basketball allowed plenty of time for socializing.
What advice would you give to future graduates?
Base your career, lifestyle and hobbies around whatever it is you’re passionate about. This will bring you happiness and success. The sooner you can identify what you are passionate about the further ahead you will be (not always an easy task).
Set goals, make a plan to achieve the goals and then follow the plan.