Meet Charles Fox, Director of Diversity & Development—Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County
His career/life quote is: “Kindness is your currency in the world. If you carry that around with you, then opportunities will make their way towards you.”
His career/life quote is: “Kindness is your currency in the world. If you carry that around with you, then opportunities will make their way towards you.”
Here’s the beginning of his interview in the book:
Q. Is this the job or career that you thought you would do when
you decided to first pursue a career?
A. This, specifically, is not what I thought I would do. I knew
that I could not be motivated solely by profit and wanted to
affect society. I definitely wanted to be in a helping field that
empowers people and works with people to get them on the best
path to achieve their goals. I wanted to make a positive change
in the world or at least be part of an organization that was doing
that work.
Q. Is this the job or career that you thought you would do when
you decided to first pursue a career?
A. This, specifically, is not what I thought I would do. I knew
that I could not be motivated solely by profit and wanted to
affect society. I definitely wanted to be in a helping field that
empowers people and works with people to get them on the best
path to achieve their goals. I wanted to make a positive change
in the world or at least be part of an organization that was doing
that work.
Q. Did you have any career dreams when you were young?
A. I asked myself, “How can I do something that would help the
world?” I think that most kids think they are going to be athletes.
Luckily, I lived in a household where dreams were encouraged. I
was always told to have a backup plan. I was taught that certain
careers were noble careers to get into, like a teacher, police
officer, firefighter, and on career days, those would be the ones
who visited and spoke to us. I was encouraged to investigate
additional career options and interests and told to have a career,
not a job. If you have a career, then you can sleep well at night.
It is a slow boat to career resentment if you don’t do something
you love. I learned that you want to put yourself in a position to
get to that goal and that nothing worthwhile ever comes easy.
A. I asked myself, “How can I do something that would help the
world?” I think that most kids think they are going to be athletes.
Luckily, I lived in a household where dreams were encouraged. I
was always told to have a backup plan. I was taught that certain
careers were noble careers to get into, like a teacher, police
officer, firefighter, and on career days, those would be the ones
who visited and spoke to us. I was encouraged to investigate
additional career options and interests and told to have a career,
not a job. If you have a career, then you can sleep well at night.
It is a slow boat to career resentment if you don’t do something
you love. I learned that you want to put yourself in a position to
get to that goal and that nothing worthwhile ever comes easy.
Q. Think back—did you know what you wanted to be when you
were in high school?
A. In high school, I definitely wanted to help people. My earliest
jobs and experiences were in after-school programs such as open
gym nights and mentoring programs which always had the goal
of giving kids a fun time in a safe and nurturing environment.
I enjoy(ed) working with children and youth development. I
have been always been interested in mentoring programs that
involved kids both younger and older than me.
Learn more about Charles on pages 30-47 in the book.
Ask yourself the following important questions:
- Am I finding the talent I need to grow our company or organization?
- Am I investing in individuals who fit into our company’s culture, personality and goals?
- Am I able to find matches for our company’s short and long-term growth with individuals who see their future here?
Charles Fox
Director of Diversity &
Development—Legal Aid
Society of Suffolk County
Kindness is your currency in the
world. If you carry that around
with you, then opportunities will
make their way towards you.
Q. Is this the job or career that you thought you would do when
you decided to first pursue a career?
A. This, specifically, is not what I thought I would do. I knew
that I could not be motivated solely by profit and wanted to
affect society. I definitely wanted to be in a helping field that
empowers people and works with people to get them on the best
path to achieve their goals. I wanted to make a positive change
in the world or at least be part of an organization that was doing
that work.
Director of Diversity &
Development—Legal Aid
Society of Suffolk County
Kindness is your currency in the
world. If you carry that around
with you, then opportunities will
make their way towards you.
Q. Is this the job or career that you thought you would do when
you decided to first pursue a career?
A. This, specifically, is not what I thought I would do. I knew
that I could not be motivated solely by profit and wanted to
affect society. I definitely wanted to be in a helping field that
empowers people and works with people to get them on the best
path to achieve their goals. I wanted to make a positive change
in the world or at least be part of an organization that was doing
that work.
31
Q. Did you have any career dreams when you were young?
A. I asked myself, “How can I do something that would help the
world?” I think that most kids think they are going to be athletes.
Luckily, I lived in a household where dreams were encouraged. I
was always told to have a backup plan. I was taught that certain
careers were noble careers to get into, like a teacher, police
officer, firefighter, and on career days, those would be the ones
who visited and spoke to us. I was encouraged to investigate
additional career options and interests and told to have a career,
not a job. If you have a career, then you can sleep well at night.
It is a slow boat to career resentment if you don’t do something
you love. I learned that you want to put yourself in a position to
get to that goal and that nothing worthwhile ever comes easy.
Q. Think back—did you know what you wanted to be when you
were in high school?
A. In high school, I definitely wanted to help people. My earliest
jobs and experiences were in after-school programs such as open
gym nights and mentoring programs which always had the goal
of giving kids a fun time in a safe and nurturing environment.
I enjoy(ed) working with children and youth development. I
have been always been interested in mentoring programs that
Q. Did you have any career dreams when you were young?
A. I asked myself, “How can I do something that would help the
world?” I think that most kids think they are going to be athletes.
Luckily, I lived in a household where dreams were encouraged. I
was always told to have a backup plan. I was taught that certain
careers were noble careers to get into, like a teacher, police
officer, firefighter, and on career days, those would be the ones
who visited and spoke to us. I was encouraged to investigate
additional career options and interests and told to have a career,
not a job. If you have a career, then you can sleep well at night.
It is a slow boat to career resentment if you don’t do something
you love. I learned that you want to put yourself in a position to
get to that goal and that nothing worthwhile ever comes easy.
Q. Think back—did you know what you wanted to be when you
were in high school?
A. In high school, I definitely wanted to help people. My earliest
jobs and experiences were in after-school programs such as open
gym nights and mentoring programs which always had the goal
of giving kids a fun time in a safe and nurturing environment.
I enjoy(ed) working with children and youth development. I
have been always been interested in mentoring programs that
Ask yourself the following important questions:
- Am I finding the talent I need to grow our company or organization?
- Am I investing in individuals who fit into our company’s culture, personality and goals?
- Am I able to find matches for our company’s short and long-term growth with individuals who see their future here?
About the Author: Frank Pomata is currently employed by the Suffolk County Dept. of Labor where he assists persons on public assistance to re-enter the workforce. He has a diverse background with experience in the Non-Profit/Human Services sector, higher education, youth development, and government. During times of unemployment, he has utilized the services of the New York State Dept. of Labor, the Suffolk County Dept. of Labor, and also served on the Suffolk County Workforce Investment Board while he was the regional representative for JOB CORPS on Long Island. Most recently, Frank has been advocating for persons with mental illness in an effort to educate the public, reduce the stigma around mental illness, and ensure people can ask for assistance and be treated with dignity. Mr. Pomata is a 2020 Recipient of the MoXY Award from the Moxxie Mentoring Foundation in recognition of his ongoing efforts to mentor female students and professionals.