…is what I must have ordered, because that’s what I got. Well, I actually didn’t get any fries, but this week flew by.

Podcast link: https://soundcloud.com/user-110817248/tcf-blog-week-2

Podcast transcript:

“TechCorps week two. I finally feel like I’m getting into the groove of being here. I think part of that is because I’m owning what I can bring to the table and offer the organization. I’m not stepping as lightly, I’m offering suggestions when appropriate, and really making myself a part of the team. I think I owe most of that mental shift to our guests at the Learning Session on Wednesday. Amber and Ashon said something along the lines of “there’s friction and dissonance when you aren’t being authentically you in a space.” And this really resonated with me. I’m very in tune with who I am and I try to remain my true self in most situations, but that’s super difficult when starting a new job or experience. This week I stopped trying to be who I thought they wanted me to be and I started being just who I am, which is exactly why I’m here.

One thing I’m still struggling with is the schedule and freedom that comes with this type of job. Someone during our learning session said that we are trained to let other people dictate our days, which I couldn’t agree with more. We go through years and years of schooling where each minute of every day is designated for something, and we are just told where to go and what to do when. Now, I’m in charge of my own day, and as awesome as that is, it’s taking some getting used to.

Our building says dream factory, which is pretty accurate.

Thursday I went on my first program site visit to get photos and videos. This visit was a real game changer for me, because it was the first time I actually got to see our work in action. I drove to Franklin University where we were having an IT On Ramp session, which is like a crash course of all things computer tech. It was so cool seeing the kids having so much fun and learning, and really showed how important the work we’re doing in the office is.

Look mom, I’m doing my thing!

One of the interactions I had was distinctively special. One of my coworkers mentioned that there was a student that was hard of hearing, and he had an interpreter. I know American Sign Language, so I went up to him and signed, “Hi! I know ASL!” and his face completely lit up, and he LAUNCHED out of the chair to give me the biggest hug. It was so sweet I nearly teared up. It’s times like those where I’m really glad I know ASL, because he was able to connect with someone through language and maybe he felt a little less different. It’s also times like those that reaffirm to me what I’m doing here and why. Happy pride weekend, more talk next week!”

Me, cheesing real hard. I got called a “ding dong” seconds after this photo was taken.