Caroline Horstmann

Caroline Horstmann

Director of Volunteers & Community Engagement


Illumination Foundation

Orange, CA USA


You don’t need to travel the world to get out of your comfort zone—you can do that right in your own community. You can meet people that will help you see the world through a different lens...a better lens.

Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Caroline Horstmann

Milestones

My road in life has taken me all over.
I've always been a passionate volunteer for causes I care about and have made volunteering an integral part of my life from a young age.
Attended Loyola Marymount University (LMU)—when I first started college, I was an education major with the goal of being a teacher.
I was unsure about what direction to take with my career and was fearful of getting “pigeon-holed,” so I switched my major and graduated with a degree in English.
While at LMU, I took part in a service project in East Los Angeles that supported nonprofits serving the homeless population of that area.
This sparked my interest in nonprofits and led to an internship with Chrysalis, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that creates pathways to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals.
After graduating, I began working for the Illumination Foundation as a site coordinator for their housing program.
Decided to take over a year off in order to pursue my dream of traveling the world.
When I was done traveling, I returned to the Illumination Foundation, where I now work as the director of volunteers & community engagement.
Keep following my journey

Career

Director of Volunteers & Community Engagement

I provide opportunities for community members to volunteer and advocate for the homeless.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Non-Profit Organizations
Business
Helping People

Day to Day

Every day is different! A typical week usually includes planning the details of a volunteer event, thanking volunteers and following up, creating new ways for the community to get involved and meeting with employees at our various sites to make sure I am up to date on the volunteer needs of our foundation.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for college students

Seek out internship opportunities; get to know the staff and ask questions!

Recommended Education

My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Society in General:

"Why do you want to take off and travel around the world?"

Challenges I Overcame

Changed Major
Work Stress

Interviewed By

LMU Roadtrip

LMU Roadtrip

Loyola Marymount University students and alumni