Pivot Program Alum Raashed Hall Reflects on Opportunities After Graduation
Posted in Announcements News
“There’s a reason it’s called a Pivot Program. It can be a 180-degree turnaround for someone,” said Raashed Hall, a graduate from Cohort 5 of the Pivot Program. Hall successfully graduated from Pivot in June 2023, and has since then been employed with the Eaton Corporation, a multinational power management company.
Eaton is one of several partner organizations that have offered employment to graduates of the Pivot Program, as part of their own corporate inclusion program. In a recent LinkedIn announcement, Eaton’s Human Resources Manager Tom Dyer highlighted Eaton’s partnership with the Pivot Program in the 2024 Global Inclusion and Diversity Transparency Report. Dyer specifically spotlighted Hall’s experience and trajectory within the company.
“The Beltsville site is grateful for Hall’s hard work, perseverance, and passion Whether it’s with our maintenance team, hosting onsite fitness classes, or being a mentor to our latest group of Pivot Program participants, Raashed always brings his best,” Dyer said.
“The broader mission of the Pivot Program is to change the way employers think about returning citizens and thus expand the range of opportunities that might be available to people like Hall who are returning to the community after incarceration,” Program Director Alyssa Lovegrove said. “Raashed’s experience clearly demonstrates the impact that our Fellows can have on the movement for greater acceptance of fair chance hiring.”
For Hall, the road to Eaton began with an internship. “For me, it was never just about checking a box. I wanted permanent experience,” Hall explained. Eaton’s immediate call for manufacturers stood out to Hall. “I come from a labor background, so I’m very good with my hands. My father was an electrician, Mr. Fixer, and I inherited some of those traits,” Hall added.
At first, Hall was not sure what to expect, but was somewhat familiar with maintenance because of his father’s master electrician background. “I was impressed with the engineering, and the opportunity to make airplane parts and work with business-minded people at Eaton,” Hall said.
Within just the first few days of his internship, Hall felt valued and respected. “My manager and the maintenance team welcomed me and gave me the tools to be successful,” Hall said.
Pivot has also been a great platform for Raashed’s entrepreneurial ambitions. In addition to his work at Eaton, Hall is still doing fitness training on the side and plans to market the device he created while in prison. “I want to be a nationally recognized trainer, to get my device up off the ground,” Hall said.
In January 2023, Hall competed in Georgetown’s annual Entrepreneurship Rocket Pitch Event. This was a pivotal opportunity to introduce his own unique workout product, which he patented while he was incarcerated. Not only did Hall win second place for his gadget at the annual competition, but was a finalist in the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Challenge a little later that year.
“I would never have thought I’d be competing with the MBAs and Georgetown students. Competing against them, and actually winning. Never underestimate yourself and what you can bring to the table,” Hall told Pivot. Alongside his training to get a master electrician license at Eaton, Hall has been working with the Georgetown Maker Hub and one of the Georgetown Entrepreneurs-in-Residence to get his prototype ready for the market.
Hall believes the key is a positive attitude. “The energy you put out is the same energy you’re going to return. If you’re positive and bring good energy, you’re going to attract that energy back,” Hall remarked.
Throughout his time with Eaton, Hall has recognized that his past does not define who he is. “When you’re on a positive road and have a mission, it’s motivating. Not just for me, but for my family, friends, people that I’m a fitness coach for, and other people in the Georgetown Pivot Program that I work with,” Hall concluded.