YEAR 2:
Slowing Down

What a year it has been. More than 10 flights, 3 cross-country moves, 1 internship down, 3 years to go. The biggest experience of this year has been my first internship. After applying in the fall to 40 different companies, one of my top choices offered me a spring internship to work at Finis, a swim company based in Livermore, CA. I’m not sure who was more excited, me or my parents knowing I would be back home in the Bay Area.

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

Looking back at this semester, I’ve experienced so many things that would never have happened if I stayed on campus. Leaving my community in Cincinnati, moving to a new town, starting my budding career as an industrial designer, and living by myself. The list of firsts and scary things goes on and on. But this is the kind of thing where you have to dive in headfirst, eyes open, arms out, and open to anything that comes your way.

 

That was my mindset. In last year’s reflection, I wrote about the paybacks of seeking discomfort. I continued that goal as this was the most uncomfortable thing I have done, but the results were huge. There’s a certain freedom in living alone in a new town, knowing zero people, with a car, and a paycheck. I took advantage of all Livermore had to offer. Sure, my first night I spend crying while doing a puzzle regretting my choice to move to a suburb known for its wine (I’m not 21 yet), large senior population, and cows but the more I explored, the more I found its beauty.

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

I slowed down, which is something I rarely do. I enjoyed my morning walks, reading on my patio, chatting with my fellow yogis, and grocery shopping. That semester I turned into a middle-aged woman post mid-life crisis and I was not sad about it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

For my internship, I constantly tell people I luck out. As a former competitive swimmer designing for a swim company, it was my dream. Not only did I learn so many new skills, but I was also doing something I was passionate about and could leave an impact on.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

As I start my summer semester back at UC, I will take everything that I’ve learned from my internship, both personally, and professionally. And when I return to the same place in the fall, I’ll have a whole appreciation for the swim job I love so much and the beauty of Livermore, cows and all.

​