Every student deserves the chance to connect classroom learning to their future career aspirations. Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation with a caring professional to help a young person take the next step toward their future.
That is exactly the kind of impact that the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) Speakers Bureau creates every day through its statewide network of dedicated business professional volunteers. And few professionals embody that mission more completely than Carrie Douthit, Office & Human Resource Manager at Greenscapes Land Care, LLC, recipient of the MBRT 2026 Joyce K. Smith Leadership in Community Engagement Partnerships Award.
Since joining MBRT’s Speakers Bureau in 2019, Carrie has become a familiar face to students across Kent County. Whether it is a Mock Interview, Resume Workshop, Post-Secondary Success Fair, in-classroom presentation, industry tour or another student-focused opportunity, Carrie is often the first volunteer to raise her hand.
Over the past seven years, Carrie has supported more than 890 students and contributed more than 79 volunteer hours through MBRT programming. Those numbers are impressive, but they only tell part of the story.
Carrie’s impact comes from what happens after the event ends. She consistently offers students additional support – sharing resources, conducting extra practice interviews, and reviewing resumes – making herself available to help students build confidence. Through her work with Greenscapes Land Care, she has even conducted real interviews with students at Kent County High School that resulted in their employment with the company. For students, these can be more than just a high school career exploration activity. They are life-changing opportunities.
According to Taylor Hudson, MBRT College Pathways Senior Manager with Next Generation Scholars Responsibilities, Kent County, Carrie brings a level of commitment that stands out.
“Carrie is incredibly reliable and enthusiastic! If I need a volunteer, I can count on Carrie to not only sign up but go their extra mile for students; she offers them her contact information and to set up additional meetings to work on resumes or even complete an extra practice interview. Carrie always offers a little something special, whether it is handouts with bonus resume tips or an interactive excavator demonstration, she thoughtfully does her best to help students find that spark.”
That “extra something special” reflects what makes the MBRT Speakers Bureau so powerful. Students are not just listening to presentations. They are meeting professionals who genuinely care about their success and are willing to invest their time and expertise to help them prepare for the future, often across multiple meetings.
For Carrie, giving back to students is one of the most rewarding parts of her professional life. Following a student event, she shared:
“These opportunities are truly some of the best parts of my job. I love being able to volunteer with our high school students and I am appreciating and enjoying getting to work with [MBRT] on these events.”
Her passion for helping students shines through every interaction and serves as a reminder that meaningful community engagement begins with simply showing up and sharing your experience.
You Can Make an Impact, Too
Carrie’s story is inspiring, but it is not unique. Every MBRT Speakers Bureau industry professional volunteer makes a meaningful difference in a student’s life. Whether it is making a job offer or just planting a seed that stays with them, each and every interaction helps students get one step closer to their future.
The MBRT invites business professionals and community organization members from all industries to speak in classrooms and participate in career-readiness programs serving middle and high school students across Maryland’s 24 school districts. Members help students understand how academic achievement connects to success in college, the workplace, and beyond. As Carrie Douthit’s journey demonstrates, a few hours of volunteering can create opportunities, open doors, and inspire students long after an event concludes.
If you are ready to make a difference, now is the perfect time to get involved. Create a volunteer account to learn more and attend one of the upcoming Speaker Bureau orientations. Virtual orientations are held every Thursday at noon through October, with additional in-person events offered at locations across Maryland.
For more information, contact Carrie Pannone, MBRT Career Pathways Director, at carrie@mbrt.org.
