The original version of this article was published in Half Times, the digital magazine for Robert Half employees.

Roy Cook has had a long and varied career working at Robert Half. He says his 27-year journey at the company has provided him with numerous opportunities to take on stretch assignments and engage with the Corporate Services team and talent solutions groups in our business.

“Even as our company has grown, Robert Half has always maintained its small company feel,” says Roy, who is the senior program manager, HR People Services, at Robert Half. “Our leaders are hands-on and have a good sense of when employees are capable of taking the next step in their career. This is what has made my experience more of a ‘career lattice’ as opposed to a ‘career ladder.’”

One opportunity to take a new direction at the company emerged years ago after Roy saw a fax about a new role related to the implementation process and training for the company’s first global applicant tracking system. “That opportunity prompted my move from talent manager to Corporate Services,” says Roy. “I was also relocated from St. Louis to California for the job — a move that included my longtime partner.”

Another professional opportunity Roy seized was moving from product support and database implementation to recruiting internally for Robert Half through our human resources organization. “This move allowed me to have even more mobility within the organization,” Roy explains. “And it has been a direct route to where I am today.”

Making a positive, lasting impact

Roy says what he finds most fulfilling about his current job at Robert Half is the variety of projects and programs he’s encouraged to work on: “I love that my work is targeted at improving the way that Robert Half does business — and that it has a direct impact on our employee experience.”

One significant achievement at the company that Roy says he is especially proud of — and also believes will continue making a positive impact long after he has finished his career — is the establishment of BELONG, the LGBTQIA+ Employee Network Group (ENG) at Robert Half.*

“While I’ve always felt accepted at work, I know there are others who have not felt as comfortable bringing their whole selves to work,” Roy says. “I hope that through BELONG and our other ENGs, we are providing a safe space for our employees to be themselves.”

Focusing on family and the community

Roy is a father to three boys — and if that responsibility didn’t keep him busy enough, he also keeps active in his community through volunteerism. “From the beginning of my career, I’ve been involved in my community,” Roy says. “I was the chairperson of the LGBT Business and Professional Alliance in St. Louis. And later, as my career and family life changed, I volunteered for everything from Little League to my faith community.”

“I can honestly say that I haven’t missed any of my sons’ significant life or school events,” Roy says. “My managers at Robert Half have led by example in this area and supported me in taking time off for family and volunteering.”

He adds, “Not only does Robert Half provide time for these activities, but through our corporate grants and Matching Gifts program,* the company provides financial support as well.”

After nearly three decades at Robert Half, is Roy ready to wind down his career? Not just yet.

“I’m looking forward to retiring at Robert Half — and I feel that if the last five years of my career are any indication, the sky is the limit for me,” Roy says. “I think others can have the same limitless career opportunities through our organization if they keep an open mind, take time to understand the business and position themselves for the next opportunity.”

Follow Roy Cook on LinkedIn.

*To learn more about Robert Half’s ENGs and Matching Gifts program, see our Corporate Citizenship Report.