What I've Learned Beyond the Screen

Over two years ago, I nervously sat for an interview for a position I felt I had the potential for, but maybe not all the parts. Over two years ago, I did a deep dive on Sustainable Campus (SC) and studied every SC social media account like it was the night before a big exam. Two years ago, I stepped into this office, and over those two years, it has been a space for safety, for laughs, for learning. Now I welcome someone else to enjoy this space as much as I did, and to learn more than I did as well. 

As a freshman and sophomore, I frequently visited the Food for Thought Pantry on campus, an important resource closely connected with Sustainable Campus. During one of my visits, I noticed a job posting for a social media position, something that I had ample experience in from high school. In desperate need for money and a change of scenery from my food service job, I ignored the fact that I’ve always been bad in any STEM subject, and I wasn’t an environmental major – my Creative Writing path was far from it. Instead, I held onto the fact that I cared and that I was willing to learn anything and everything. And that’s precisely what I said that day in my interview.

I walked into my first day timidly, so much so I showed up thirty minutes early. After our first staff meeting, it was apparent my fears were true – I was in a room of mostly STEM majors who only applied a fraction of their knowledge to their positions with ease. I was out of place from my usual spaces I was used to, talking about editing and writing in workshops or discourse on social implications of a novel released decades ago. 

My coworkers’ insight and passion inspired me, and I attended every event related to each program that I could. I spent my mornings in the garden as the former coordinator taught me only the scientific names of plants and encouraged me to plant my own native flowers in a garden bed. I attended Eco-Reps meetings to observe a cohort of students educating themselves and others about environmental solutions in our community. I showed up to football games two hours early to proudly wear my green Garnet and Gold Goes Green (G4) vest and talk to tailgaters about recycling. I went on Food Recovery Network (FRN) recoveries and saw where it all started for me – in that food pantry, hoping that I had a shot at being a part of this community.

My job was always more than the analytics from successful posts and videos edited. I relished in the duality of having a creative space where I could educate others about what my coworkers were teaching me about, while in a lot of ways being a volunteer for Sustainable Campus at the same time. I felt endless joy from getting volunteers to participate in pictures and videos for our social platforms, but I was present at these events for the same reasons they were: to be involved.

Now this office is all I’ve known for the past two years, and the people who have come and went are now mentors and friends I hope to have for a lifetime. They have fueled the hope in me for a more sustainable tomorrow in ways I didn’t know was possible, and they made me feel comfortable not always being the smartest in the room. My peers allowed me to grow, perhaps without even realizing. I sign off with more than a portfolio of graphics and social media campaigns, and video editing skills. I sign off now with more courage to throw myself in the middle of a new environment and appreciate it for all it’s worth, until the very end