Each week, #SpanningtheNeed will present an “Inspirational Person of the Week’ and have a “Q & A” with one of its many gifted individuals and/or groups who are willing to go out of their own way to help others. This week’s featured is Mr. Ralf Urbach from Northeast Ohio Impact Academy.
Name: Mr. Ralf
Position: STEM & Manufacturing Director/Trainer
Organization: Northeast Ohio Impact Academy
Bio: Recently took employment at the Impact Academy after working at the OHWOW! Children’s Center for Science & Technology. Looking towards helping the Campbell and its surrounding communities of students continue to move their interest forward in the fields of STEM and Manufacturing.
What made you want to go into this field?
I took the really simple life advice of so many philosophers in the world….” Do what you love” ……so I did!
E128: The Power of Purpose: Honoring Graduating Seniors; Aidan Rossi, Warren JFK
What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful?
Never missing an opportunity to surround myself with people and/or professionals who have and continue to acquire more knowledge and experience than me.
What is the biggest professional mistake you made along the way?
Mistakes are only additional opportunities to learn and move forward….so I’ll get back to you when the BIGGEST (mistake) opportunity presents itself.
What is the hardest decision you ever had to make in this field?
Deciding if I should start my morning with a nice slice of pizza or a handful of candy.
If you could start all over again, what would you do differently regarding your profession?
I would have taken that road less traveled.
What inspires you to do good in our community?
Knowing there are always chances to become a better person and reciprocating those efforts toward others who need it more is inspiring and really isn’t that hard to put thought into.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering in our community?
The genuine smiles.
What song best describes you or is the soundtrack to your life?
All of them.
What is your best accomplishment/experience in life?
Making mistake after mistake after mistake and turning those into opportunity after opportunity after opportunity.
Who is your role model and Why?
No “role models” …. but I do have countless “mentors” that have influenced and guided me thus far…
- My parents and each of my family/friends.
- My past Supervisors/Employers/colleagues
- The children/students that I continue to meet along my journey as they have an uncanny ability to show and teach me how innocence is so abundantly present.
If there was one person that you would like to meet, past or present and why?
Beaker from the Muppets…. I’m pretty sure he could give all the answers to my unanswered questions or at the very least tell me a good “meep…meep” joke.
A favorite quote that you live by?
The next step…IS the best step!
