Sarah (Lund) ClapperDePaul's School of Public Service, MS 2014
Operations Manager
Rainbows for All Children
Rainbows for All Children
This month we spotlight an alumna from DePaul's School of Public Service, a specialized Masters program for those preparing for a career of service.
How has your DePaul MS degree helped your career?
When I was applying to the School of Public Service at DePaul, all I knew was that I wanted to help people. I wanted to make a difference somehow. By obtaining a Master of Science in Public Service Management, I was able to learn about all of the many ways I could make a difference in the non-profit and public sectors—from launching an effective grass roots campaign to non-profit financial management. Since obtaining my degree, I quickly learned that working at a small non-profit organization requires you to wear many hats. My education from DePaul’s School of Public Service has allowed me to do just that.
Is there anything specific about your current company/role that you would like to share with the DePaul Graduate community?
Rainbows for All Children (Rainbows) is dedicated to being the premier source of support for all youth as they navigate grief and heal from loss, whether from death, divorce, deployment, or other trauma. Rainbows fosters awareness that youth require support to heal. We nurture a community of effective Rainbows-trained Facilitators, supported with a repository of resources designed to guide youth in their grieving process.
What is the one thing you wish you would have taken advantage of, but didn’t, or just wish you had done differently while enrolled at DePaul?
DePaul frequently hosts great panel discussion, workshops and seminars. I wish I would have attended more of them.
Is there anything specific about your current company/role that you would like to share with the DePaul Graduate community?
Rainbows for All Children (Rainbows) is dedicated to being the premier source of support for all youth as they navigate grief and heal from loss, whether from death, divorce, deployment, or other trauma. Rainbows fosters awareness that youth require support to heal. We nurture a community of effective Rainbows-trained Facilitators, supported with a repository of resources designed to guide youth in their grieving process.
What is the one thing you wish you would have taken advantage of, but didn’t, or just wish you had done differently while enrolled at DePaul?
DePaul frequently hosts great panel discussion, workshops and seminars. I wish I would have attended more of them.
{Note from GWB: Although we in no way solicited this answer, we totally agree! Check out our Women Insiders winter panel series for great networking and industry insights!}
What has been the most difficult business lesson you have learned since graduating?
Learning to let some projects go. You might be at a small
In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle women face in the workplace today and how can they overcome it?
Equal pay and opportunity. Women earn less than men do for doing the same job. But when you compare the number of women to the number of men in executive positions, holding board seats, in management positions in the tech industry—it’s staggering; it’s sad.
I don’t think it’s the responsibility of women to overcome inequality in the workplace. It’s everyone’s responsibility. Changing the culture of the workplace requires a collective effort, including from individuals at the top level. Things like re-evaluating your organization’s hiring process to identify and eliminate bias, and expanding your organization’s network and expanding where you recruit from are small steps to creating a more diverse culture.
non-profit, but the organization has big aspirations for growth. You have your priorities set and detailed calendars, but there will always be something that has to be set aside temporarily because it doesn’t “fit the screen.” You have to remind yourself that “this isn’t a bad thing.” It allows you as an individual, and your organization, to really focus on the projects that fit within your strategic plan, and come back to those other projects later.
What has been the most difficult business lesson you have learned since graduating?
Learning to let some projects go. You might be at a small
In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle women face in the workplace today and how can they overcome it?
Equal pay and opportunity. Women earn less than men do for doing the same job. But when you compare the number of women to the number of men in executive positions, holding board seats, in management positions in the tech industry—it’s staggering; it’s sad.
I don’t think it’s the responsibility of women to overcome inequality in the workplace. It’s everyone’s responsibility. Changing the culture of the workplace requires a collective effort, including from individuals at the top level. Things like re-evaluating your organization’s hiring process to identify and eliminate bias, and expanding your organization’s network and expanding where you recruit from are small steps to creating a more diverse culture.
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