Sustainable Summer: My Experience as a High Schooler

I first learned of Tallahassee Future Leaders Academy (TFLA) through my school, Capital Preparatory, and thought it was interesting because I wanted a job but did not know how working really worked as I am only a rising sophomore. I took this opportunity and received a job placement here at Sustainable Campus at Florida State University. 

I would describe sustainability as the continuous process of the world’s environment/economy. 

At first, I thought that joining Sustainable Campus was not for me, and I thought it was boring, but I realized there is so much I can learn from sustainability and there are many things I did not know about. For example, I would now define sustainability as the continuous process of the world’s environment/economy. One of the most interesting facts I learned is that by weight; there is more trash in the ocean than there is fish. I find this interesting because one might never think that there is that much trash in the ocean. 

There are a lot of different things I have done this summer, but my favorite  was Water Bottle Data Collection. For collection, my supervisor, Alexa, and I had to walk in many buildings around campus to report on the water refill stations to assess how often these stations have been utilized at FSU in total. I loved Water Bottle Data Collection because I was able to explore many of the fine places at FSU. My second favorite thing I did was learn how to use Canva from the Sustainable Campus Graphic Designer, Camila. Learning how to use Canva was something I was looking for because I want to be a social media influencer, Canva can help me with marketing, decorations, etc. 

I think the most challenging thing I faced was talking to random people when tabling. At Tabling, incoming FSU students who are interested in clubs and organizations will come up to our table, and I must tell them about Sustainable Campus. At first, I was shy and did not want to table, but I started to enjoy talking after getting used to my surroundings, and I even taught one of my coworkers on how tabling works. I really enjoy my placement here in Sustainable Campus. 

Although I became used to being around a lot of people that I did not know, my favorite place on campus is Strozier Library, where there are not a lot of people and it is not loud. Ever since I remembered my way to the library, I went there every day for lunch or my breaks. The place is quiet, friendly, and overall, just a place I love to go to. 

If I did not know how to get there, then my favorite place would be the Innovation Hub. At the Innovation Hub, there are games, VR, and my favorite, 3D printing. I love that I can go there at any time I want and just have fun, and I do not have to pay for a single thing there! 

To sum this all up, I really love my job placement in Sustainable Campus, this job has taught me a lot of things I did not know of, and I got to meet a lot of cool people. I love all my coworkers and my boss, they are amazing people collectively, and they are really easy to understand and get along with as well. I think everyone should take some time and look and understand the importance of sustainability.