By Cecelia Bagnoli, Destination and Tourism Strategic Planner, Talent Business Alliance
My journey to becoming a RARE Member started months before I had even heard of the program. I had just wrapped up another long afternoon of typing variations of “community development specialist” and “urban planner” into job search bars on LinkedIn and Google. Every promising posting seemed to require a Master’s degree—which I don’t have—or led to a dead end. I was beginning to feel like the entire job search process was a scam.
Living with my mom in Louisville, Kentucky, I felt completely stuck in my professional pursuits. Overwhelmed and frustrated, I called my dad to have a conversation that would ultimately change my course. Through tears, I told him that I knew I wanted to be part of positive urban or rural development in a community that needed support, but I had no idea how to position myself for that kind of impact.
My dad had two pieces of advice: 1) get off Google, and 2) chance favors the adventurous. I chuckled to myself, thinking, this is not the time to be philosophical. He must have sensed my skepticism because he elaborated—my next opportunity wasn’t going to come looking for me, and it definitely wasn’t going to fall into my lap. Instead, he urged me to envision the career I wanted, find professionals already doing similar work, and ask for informational interviews.
Inspired by his advice, I tapped into my alma mater’s alumni network through a platform called “Ask a Scot.” I posted a request to connect with any graduates working in urban planning or related fields. Three planners responded, and I scheduled phone calls with each of them.
Around this time, my friend and I had planned a road trip from Kentucky to Lincoln City, Oregon. We were both on a mission to visit all 50 states, and because neither of us had been to Oregon, it seemed like the perfect destination. It took us about 10 minutes of being in the state to decide that we wanted to live there one day.
Trying to stay focused on my job search, I took a break from exploring Oregon’s coast to have a phone call with one of the planners from my alumni network. Coincidentally, she was an urban planner in Bend, Oregon. We discussed community advocacy, work-life balance, and grad school. Toward the end of our conversation, she mentioned a program called RARE that places recent graduates in rural communities across Oregon.
After we hung up, I went straight to Google (sorry, Dad!) and typed in RARE AmeriCorps. As I read the “What We Do” section on their website, I knew immediately that I needed to pursue this program. Even more serendipitously, despite the April application deadline, there were still openings in late July. I looked at my friend and said, “I’m applying to this program. If I get in, I’m accepting the position and moving to Oregon.”
That’s exactly what happened. Less than two months later, I left everything I knew in Kentucky and ventured to Talent, Oregon, to serve as the Destination and Tourism Strategic Planner for a nonprofit called Talent Business Alliance. After 40 hours of driving across the country, I was immediately struck by the natural beauty of the Rogue Valley, where Talent is situated. But more than that, I have been continually inspired by the culture the community members have cultivated here.
Talent, like many rural communities, has faced its fair share of challenges. The devastating Almeda Fire in 2020 left a lasting impact, displacing many residents and businesses. However, the resilience of this community is undeniable. My supervisor, a longtime community advocate, welcomed me with open arms, introducing me to local leaders, business owners, and passionate residents dedicated to rebuilding and revitalizing the town.
My role with the Talent Business Alliance has given me the opportunity to contribute to strategic tourism planning, helping create sustainable economic opportunities while preserving the town’s unique character and flare. One of my first major projects has been engaging with local stakeholders to identify tourism priorities. I have attended county and city meetings, listened to business owners’ concerns, and collaborated with regional partners to develop a strategic plan promoting responsible tourism. Through this work, I have seen firsthand how rural communities can harness their strengths—tight-knit relationships, deep-rooted histories, and stunning natural landscapes—to foster meaningful economic development.
Beyond the work itself, my experience in Talent has been personally transformative. Moving across the country to a place where I knew no one was daunting, but it has also been incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned how to navigate new environments, build professional relationships, and adapt to the ever-changing needs of a small community. Most importantly, I’ve found a renewed sense of purpose and direction in my career path.
Looking back, I can’t help but think about my dad’s advice. By stepping outside my comfort zone, seeking out connections, and embracing uncertainty, I found an opportunity that aligned perfectly with my passions. My journey to becoming a RARE Member didn’t start with a straightforward job application—it started with a willingness to explore, take chances, and trust that the right opportunity would come when I was ready for it.
About the author, Cecelia Bagnoli: Cecelia was raised in small towns in Kentucky and Iowa, where she developed an appreciation for local businesses and community initiatives. She earned degrees in Communication Studies and Environmental Studies from the College of Wooster, during which she studied abroad in Thailand, focusing on small-scale farming and community-led sustainability. Now participating in the RARE program, Cecelia is committed to becoming an urban planner and advocate for sustainable communities, working to ensure that everyone has access to the resources needed for a healthy and fulfilling life.
Interested in gaining a community and economic development experience of your own? Are you looking for a life changing experience in rural Oregon? Learn more about serving with the RARE AmeriCorps Program. Applications for Year 32 (2025-26) are due April 27, 2025 by 11:59pm PDT.