As a software engineer with Ford’s Global Data Insight & Analytics group, my world is defined by algorithms and virtual models. We do incredible work at the forefront of technology, such as building AI tools for the Ford Pro Charging Analytics team. It’s fast-paced and entirely digital.
However, I quickly learned that working at Ford is more than just your day job. During my onboarding, I was introduced to Ford Philanthropy and learned about the Ford Volunteer Corps — and it didn’t take long for me to put what I learned into action.
Recently, I found myself in an entirely different environment. Instead of using a laptop at my office, I was holding a paintbrush at a house in Detroit’s Morningside neighborhood. Together with Ford colleagues, I helped refresh the house’s closet doors, giving the place a facelift before a family moved in. The moment was Ford’s first-ever New Hire Volunteer Project, and for this event, we volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Detroit. For me, it was a perfect way to temporarily pivot from the “virtual world” that I inhabit professionally and do some hands-on work in the community outside our office doors.
I joined Ford full-time in January. While I chose a career path in computer science, I am from a family of builders and electricians. Working with my hands is in my DNA.
When I heard about the Morningside project for National Volunteer Week, I jumped at the chance to leave my screen and step into a physical space, where I could use a completely different skill set. Niko, Habitat’s on-site builder, walked us through exactly what we were doing and why, giving the experience an incredibly grounded feeling. Beyond just personal satisfaction, volunteering in Morningside gave me the chance to learn more about Habitat for Humanity’s mission, the community we’re helping, and the people who call Detroit home.
“When I heard about the Morningside project for National Volunteer Week, I jumped at the chance to leave my screen and step into a physical space, where I could use a completely different skill set.”
The project also provided an opportunity to connect with fellow new hires from Ford. During my session, we spent the afternoon listening to music and swapping stories as we worked side-by-side. In a large organization, it’s easy to stay in your own silo, so making new connections with peers from different departments was a highlight.
A culture that prioritizes service is one of the reasons I joined Ford. I appreciate that so many of my co-workers have a desire to give back. It is one thing for a company to say it wants to “build a better world,” but another to see that in action. The corporate-level support for volunteerism tells me that Ford values more than just the bottom line. I am grateful for the mentors and peers who have helped me along my own journey from Michigan State University to the University of Michigan, and now to Ford. Volunteering as part of the Ford Volunteer Corps with Habitat for Humanity is a meaningful way to “pay it forward.”
After getting a small taste of volunteering, I can’t wait to do more. Leaving the work site, I felt more connected to my company and my community. I’m proud to be a part of a team that encourages us to step away from our routines and use our time and skills for our neighbors.
Turns out that whether you’re building an AI tool or helping refurbish a house, the goal is the same: creating something meaningful for the people who will use it.
Jakob Therkelsen is a software engineer in the Ford Global Data Insight & Analytics Group.
