Gwen,
As your first week is coming to a close, it’s nice to be able to say you’re starting to figure out where you’ll fit within FoodLab for the next few weeks. If this first week is any indication of how quickly the rest will fly by, you’ll be back in Ann Arbor in the blink of an eye. Don’t waste a second of you’re time in the city because I’m sure the weeks we have won’t feel like even close to enough!
You’ve always enjoyed coming to Detroit for concerts, sporting events, and evenings out, but now it’s a really exciting time to get to know the city on a much more personal level. Keep falling in love with the city and the people who live here. Keep learning about it’s history and why it stands where it stands today so you can help the city and all of its people move in a brighter direction. Lot’s of exciting projects are taking place that are aimed at reviving the city. Learn about and get involved with as many as possible!
Meet as many people as you can and try your best to remember all of their names! I know it’s not you’re strong suit, but I’m impressed with how many you already have under your belt after this week. Keep up the good work! This is an amazing networking opportunity, aside from being great work experience. Ask questions. Get to know what people are doing around the city. Learn about the projects of other people in the program, other people in the Green Garage, and other residents the city. Dive as deep as you can into the community while you’re living in it.
So far, FoodLab is feeling like the perfect placement, and I hope it continues to feel that way (and even more so down the road!) Their mission really gets at what you find important (food accessibility, community building, actively working to not displace the people who have called Detroit their home for generations with newer residents), and I hope you continue to learn valuable lessons and be inspired by the work they’re doing across the city.
Don’t be afraid to step up at your placement. I know right now it seems like you may never have anything new and useful to contribute, but that’s simply not true! Pour your heart and soul into the research they’re having you do. Blow them away with the information you put together for all of the one-page info sheets and the pop up guide, and the sharpness with which you display that information. Work hard and gather as many articles about FoodLab members as the internet has to offer.
Also, your final mission is to visit as many FoodLab member brick and mortar stores, and buy as many FoodLab member products as possible! 144 members is a lot, but it’s important to get to know as many of them as possible and give them as much support as you can.
It’s all feels a little overwhelming right now, but trust me, you’ve got this.
I often struggle with remembering everyone’s names too! This was a really great post and I think that you have some very tangible goals for the summer! And you’re right, before we know it, we will be back in Ann Arbor! I hope that you are able to achieve everything that you want for this experience and more!