A week ago, I was writing a blog about my role as a Community Manager and got inspired to write this. I wondered how many new community managers wonder if they’re doing it right, and I know I question myself from time to time. The journey of being a Community Manager is unique and can be difficult at times. After thinking about this, I realized I know some amazing community managers, and I’ve learned a few things I want to share. So I reached out to them and was able to get the best insights and suggestions that helped us along the way. After talking to Magdalena Madrigal and Supriya Mazumdar, it was clear there was gold in all of our experiences. Our goal with offering our thoughts is to empower you to feel more comfortable and confident in your role as a community manager. 

Give everyone a voice

We want everyone to have the same opportunity to have equity in the conversation and to be a part of the community and the work everyone’s doing as a collective. 

“The best way to be more inclusive is to stop using jargon and stop assuming everyone has the same knowledge.” Supriya hit the nail right on the head with this statement. Each community is like a fingerprint; it’s one of a kind. Each and every community member makes up a swirl of this fingerprint, joining you from a different part of the world, level of education, or work experience. Having members with diverse backgrounds builds differing views, which opens the door for dialogue and learning a new perspective. 

Our goal is to inhibit moments of gatekeeping. Examples of gatekeeping can be using jargon, demeaning others due to unrealistic standards, or creating a space where others feel unsafe to express their opinion. If we as community managers ignore or devalue moments like this we are encouraging unacceptable behavior. There will be moments, in your community, when thoughts are dismissed by other community members. That’s where we step in to empower all members to have a voice. The last thing we want to do is create roadblocks for building connections and making the community not welcoming for all. 

We want to build a space or opportunity for expression. One of the ways to do that is by making sure you have a Code of Conduct (CoC). You can update it to be informative and inclusive. I recently updated Atomic Red Team’s Contributor Covenant Code of Conduct and found some great examples of other CoCs that helped me with the verbiage and structure. A few of the sites that really helped were Tech Ladies, Uplift, Internet Society, and Geek Feminism. We need to be advocates or allies for those experiencing gatekeeping and empower all members to be a part of the conversation. 

Be an Engagement Firefighter

Community managers want to see community members interacting with us, whether digitally (social or chat channels) or physically (at meet-ups or conferences). We want to see engagement. Magdalena couldn’t have said it better: “Engagement is one of the most important things to keep a community alive. I am constantly engaging with my community like a huge firehose. It’s like I am an engagement firefighter.” 

Engagement isn’t only about having conversations but making sure everyone is contributing to the cause or project. Writing informative content, sending out monthly newsletters, and making exciting events are also ways to get your community members excited about the work you all are doing. We are not here to monitor the conversation; we are a part of it and should provide resources for everyone to use. This helps us learn how people are collaborating, how we can make their experience better, and how to continue the momentum for your project. You can follow up with this by using tools like Sprout or Hootsuite, which provide you with sharing insights about what your community is talking about. 

Let’s get some data

“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data.” – Sherlock Holmes

Data is vital for many professionals, regardless of their role. We all have to measure our success—it’s what shows our growth. Determining what type of information to collect varies. For some, it’s purely quantitative numbers. For others it’s mainly qualitative; for community managers, it’s a balance between both. We tend to focus on growing (quantitative) and nurturing (qualitative) our communities. Most community managers want to be mindful of not only managing our goals but also monitoring the health of our communities. For us, ensuring our community members feel valued and heard is a top priority (most times we care more about this than hitting numbers). 

Like Supriya said, “I am focused on making sure all people (from all sorts of backgrounds) feel welcomed.” To do that we need to listen to our community by performing surveys, reaching out to community members, and analyzing previous data. Previous data can be tracking subscribers on your newsletters, chat communities (for my tech peeps via Slack, Stack Overflow, or Reddit), or social platforms. There are times when previous data isn’t available to you and that’s okay. 

If you are dealing with a dearth of data: Try to find communities (preferably more than one) that are similar to yours. Now some of you may be thinking, “well my project is like no other.” I feel you on that. I have experience with completely different and innovative projects. But the trick is even though projects can differ, there’s always a connection. You find what bridges you to other communities. For example, Atomic Red Team is a fun, unique, and inventive project but we have a link to other communities: cybersecurity or information security. This gave me the opportunity to meet (and learn from) Supriya, and ask them questions. Now here’s the secret gem and sometimes a scary thing to do. Reach out to the community managers of those communities for help. I am not sure if it’s because of what we do, but most if not all community managers I have met are helpful and willing to share their insights. Learning the tools or social platforms they use will help to possibly create things similar so you can start collecting data. And see how they interact with their community. Do they ask community members to fill out surveys or leave comments on certain content? 

Once we start gathering all the information we need we can begin creating goals and key performance indicators for ourselves and the community. This will help us to learn if we are on track, learn how our community is impacted by holidays, or how to move toward the next quarter. If you’re like me, analyzing data and crunching numbers is not your strong suit. Even when doing simple addition, I feel like I look like the scene from The Hangover when Zach Galifianakis is in the casino figuring out all the math in his head. And that’s fine, we are not all meant to be math whizzes, but we all can improve our skills with analyzing. If you can relate, I recommend this professional certificate from Google on Data Analytics from Coursera. It’s a lifesaver, helping me to learn how to level up analyzing data.

You’re qualified—and this takes time.

How many of us fall into the trap of should I be here? How can I give this community all it needs? Am I qualified for this? And the answer is yes, you are. Like Magda said, “Community is the backbone of so many things. It’s a tough job that doesn’t get enough credit but is needed everywhere.” 

Our role is so important not only for the help and care we give to our community but also for the company we work for. That can feel like a lot of weight but also your company, your hiring manager, the others that interviewed you wouldn’t have given you this opportunity if they didn’t see a light in you. It takes courage and patience to thrive in this role. Over time you will learn so much about your community and how you fit into everything. You just have to keep your ear to the ground and continue on the journey.

Whether you’re a new community manager or have been in this for a while I hope this blog helps you to feel at ease and know we’re all in the same boat. We are all still learning each and every day no matter our experience levels. Another reminder is that we all bring so much to the table and to our community. We share our light and empower others so much. One thing that I love about my company, Red Canary, is that we thrive to be “kind and authentic.” These two traits are something I believe most if not all community managers have. By sharing your light, being you, and being patient, you will see how your growth may start slow but will become exponential. Remember: data is important but personal experiences in the community are just as valuable. Continue to shine and make your mark. 

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New chapters come with new territories and opportunities. And in the spirit of new chapters, I am starting one of my own. I recently joined Red Canary’s flock as their Community Manager for the Atomic Red Team. In addition to this new opportunity, other parts of my life are also experiencing new chapters. And I must say it can be exciting, scary, adventurous, and a bit nerve-wracking. Many other emotions can arise as we experience newfound independence, people, careers, or relationships in our life. And first, let’s emphasize that it’s okay to have more than one emotion as we learn to cope and manage a new normal. 

Are you Good?

Acclimating into a new chapter can take days, weeks, months, and sometimes years. There’s never a true set time. Sometimes it can be fairly overwhelming. So right now, if your thoughts are moving a mile a minute, let’s bring you into the present and get your thoughts in a better space. Let’s perform some affirmational breaths. Place your hands on your heart and as you breathe in, inhale all the things you need in life, and as you exhale, release all that’s not serving you. Do that for about 4-8 breaths and allow your shoulders to relax down and your thoughts to slow down. The moment you start feeling your thoughts race again, remind yourself of what you want to bring into your life. This will help you to check in on what’s going on.

Just like mentioned in the blog, How Are You? Really, we all have other aspects of ourselves outside of work. I know I am guilty of ignoring my own needs as a way to deal with new things happening. After learning the hard way, I have realized that is not conducive. Some ways that helped me were setting weekly check-in alarms on my phone, scheduling a Yoga or meditation session, reading a book like The Magic by Rhonda Byrnes, or writing daily entries about my day. This way, you’re checking on your emotional, mental, and physical health.   

Learn to be Comfortable with Uncomfortability

As you grow, lessons are learned the easy and sometimes the hard way. If it’s a harder one, it can cause growing pains that take you to uncomfortable places. The annoying part is that life likes to not give you all the deets for the situations you find yourself in. Like Forrest Gump says, “My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” As we continue this book called life we are going to experience different challenges, “happy accidents”, or learning curves. Someone also once told me if you want to grow, become comfortable with discomfort. Now when this becomes unmanageable, completely overwhelming, or often hurting. It’s okay to seek help whether it’s using TalkSpace, BetterHelp, talking to a loved one, or traditional therapy methods. You don’t have to wait until you’re about to explode to ask for help or talk to someone, talking could help you learn a few new tools to manage your emotions. If you’re just wanting to release emotions inside, invite tears to fall, let your frustrations out safely (I smash ice), or ask for help. I try to remember that every feeling or thought is temporary and I can invite healthy thoughts in at any time with affirmational breaths. In the near future, I hope you begin moving in a positive and healthy direction in life. 

Enjoy the new

Now we’ve talked about checking in, preparing for tough moments but what about when all you can do is smile. Embrace them! You are so powerful, resilient, and capable. When we get to enjoy life and take a moment to catch our breath, that is a valuable moment. I mean look at where you’ve gotten yourself so far. That deserves a dance and a pat on the back. Another thing about these moments of your journey is a perfect time to share testimonials, to be proud of yourself, and to cherish the progress. You are taking the step to give yourself the best life possible. Sometimes the steps to getting there aren’t easy but it’s worth celebrating the process of doing what you need to do for yourself! 

So embrace the tears, laughter, and the moments of WTF?! The crazy part is sometimes we enter new chapters voluntarily and involuntarily. And even when we enter them voluntarily, we don’t realize what all comes with it. Either way, it can create a bit of temporary chaos and throw our self-care routines off. As a kind reminder here are three ways to welcome this new chapter healthily and happily!

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I wonder how many of us are managing our mental, emotional, and physical health while working? This can be an uncomfortable question, right? And I want us to start thinking about this because many of us are balancing between working, parenting, paying bills, running errands, exercising, fulfilling dreams, making a voice for ourselves, and dating, being single, or in a relationship(s). It can be a lot. And I want you to know I hear and see you. In addition to my community and communications role, I am also an eight-year Hatha Yoga Instructor who focuses on trauma yoga. And throughout the years, I saw how work affected people’s overall health. Knowing that, I’ve been guilty in the past of saying, “one day I’ll get help”, “I have to prove myself at work”, or “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” And some of you might be thinking you’ve said the same thing. That’s okay if you have, but it’s time we put our health first. We, as humans, deserve to take care of our minds, emotions (souls if you believe in that), and bodies. The last thing we want to do is burn out and get stuck in an unhealthy work dynamic. So, I want to share a few ways you can begin putting your overall health first and continue to thrive and enjoy your job. 

1. Check-in. It’s time to check in with yourself. Right now. I want you to take 5 deep breathe through your nose out through your mouth. Bring yourself back to your present self. Pay attention to your thoughts and body’s movements. Do you start thinking of all the things you need to do or start feeling the tension in your hands, neck, or back? This is a symptom of pushing yourself past your boundary. It might be time for a break or vacation. Try to reflect at the end of the week and each month. 
2. Mental Health days are real. Take mental health days. If you wake up and you’re not feeling like yourself, share that with your boss and call for a mental health day. Make sure your company offers Mental Health days. It’s like a paid time off (PTO) day. Double check with your boss or HR department on how many you are given each year. If your company doesn’t have them, suggest this resource to them on getting started. 
3. Honesty is the best policy. Be open and honest with your supervisor or manager. They won’t know you’re suffering if you don’t tell them. Like us they are not mind readers, especially if you’re remote. Whether it’s a health concern or you’re feeling depleted let them know. The two of you can start figuring out what your boundaries are and how to work together for you to feel comfortable and supported. You also don’t have to tell them everything. Only disclose what you feel comfortable sharing.
4. Asking for help shows strength! Honesty is great but what if I look weak? You are far from less than or weak if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Every single human feels it. Like we mentioned earlier, we are more than our role. We are parents, friends, caretakers, and people who like to live life. So it’s okay if balancing it all gets a little too crazy to handle. It takes so much courage to ask for help and someone might see you ask and grow the strength to do it too.  
5. Invite space to breathe. Take breaks throughout the day, the week, and the months. Take vacations, even if it’s a staycation that’s rest too! When you take daily breaks. Think of what will help you unwind for 10-45 mins whether it’s scrolling on Instagram (make sure you set a timer), doing handstands, or taking a walk. Make sure you have moments for yourself throughout work.
6. Detach PLEASE. Create a time when you step away from work. HIDE THAT LAPTOP. Or sign out of all the work apps on your phone. Maybe you work at home in a room, shut that door when it’s clocking out time.  I know this sounds extreme but hey sometimes we need to learn how to separate work and life. If you have weekends off, really embrace your weekend as “you” time.
7. GIVE YOURSELF GRACE! You are a rockstar, existing on this planet takes so much work. So if eating, doing what’s asked of you, and staying hydrated is what you can do for the day, in my book that’s a win!

I wrote this for you and for myself as a reminder that we need rest, honesty, and grace! We can be humans and have good/bad days. Let’s be kind to our bodies, listen to what we need, and let’s start working on normalizing that humans get sick, need mental health days, and need breaks. If you do something else to help yourself, share in the comment I really want to hear. Have a beautiful day.

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Entering the tech space was exciting and scary in the same breath. I saw intricacy in the implementations and products my company (and community) conceptualized daily, it was inspiring. How can you not admire all the moving parts and the time people invest in creating unique resolutions for the web? My only question was, how do I fit into this community? I kept feeling like I am not “technical,” and I don’t understand code, so can I even help. Perhaps you or someone close to you has felt this way. 

I notice there’s always a conversation about technical and non-technical. Using the term technical creates an instant separation between developers/engineers and all other roles. While it’s likely not the intention to use the word in that way, those with new, fresh ideas willing to join the community can feel isolated. As I approach one year as a core member of the Solid Community, it has been an honor to see how the community has grown and elevated. Over the last few months, I’ve been able to reflect on all the people who could join this space to expand the community and what the future of Solid entails outside of traditional engineering and developer roles. Here are some roles that our community can use right now.

UX/UI Designers

Alrighty, so you’re a user experience (UX) or user interface (UI) designer. You’re so vital to helping build Solid. Why, may you ask? You see applications and software from a different lens. You create an experience that invites and welcomes people into a new and innovative space. It opens the door for everyday people to see the ease in what Solid does while also giving them their data back.

Communications

If you’re not communicating, there’s an issue, and we need all of it in a new community. Whether it’s a start-up, organization, or an individual building on Solid, they may need someone to help them with their communications. There are so many avenues to help, like drafting social promotion, creating a communication strategy, or email marketing. Also, as a collective, the more we work on getting the message out of the promise of Solid, the more we grow our community.

Graphic Designers

Who’s going to design the promotions, infographics, or additional content? Well, no other than the graphic designer. You have the capability of turning people’s ideas into something visual. We need that more than ever to share what our community is all about outside of Solid. To me, that’s pretty cool. 

Copy Writers

Copywriting guides serve as the daily lifeline for our developers and engineers. Are you a wiz at copywriting? We need you in the community. Solid has so many people building and implementing all day, every day; it’s astounding. Copywriters can clarify and simplify the information for everyday people or the most seasoned engineer, all in the same text. 

Software Testers

Alrighty, each day, a new application or software pops up in Solid. That’s pretty exciting, but if there aren’t enough people testing out the software to help point out bugs or provide feedback, many of these applications and software can’t reach their full potential. 

Honestly, we want you!

No matter who you are, we welcome you to check out our community. Even though I mentioned a few roles, I think it’s safe to say these aren’t the only opportunities around. So, you want to join the movement and curious how? Here are two ways you can get involved. One way is to submit a post to the Solid Forum explaining your area expertise, whether you’re looking for a full-time or volunteer opportunity, and interests. Another way is to reach out to The Solid Project at info@solidproject.org, and the Solid Team can help you join the community.

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Do you deserve a seat at the table? Yes, you do. Sometimes you might feel the opposite. Whether your age, years of experience, or industry change can be tough. Don’t let that inhibit you from following through or being productive. Some of us get this feeling. I am 100% guilty of it. I struggle with imposter syndrome. There are moments when I feel like hiding or just complying, even when I disagree. That little voice in my head could push me to sabotage my potential at my company or life in general. I had to learn there’s a difference between my mind tricking me into thinking that I don’t deserve a seat and that being the truth. Pretty sure a few of our peers feel the same. Even you reading this might feel that way. It’s okay to have those feelings. Don’t let them be your setback. I want to share my story and some daily tips on breaking that mental barrier.

So, I work on getting myself out of my comfort zone. Someone once told me, “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” Writing a blog (like this one) or speaking up at work tend to be areas that make me uncomfortable. That’s why I love doing them. You get so much satisfaction out of doing the tough stuff. Step by step, those pushes turn into milestones. Since I started working at Inrupt, I decided to create my voice and seat. Somedays, I struggle, and on other days it’s easy. Over the last ten months, I have made great milestones within the company and my personal life. Those triumphs inspire me to push myself out of complacency to gain confidence when there’s uncertainty. This leads to my next point. 

It’s okay not to have all the answers. Seriously. Unless you are an encyclopedia (which, if you are, teach me your ways), you’re not going to have all the answers. Be honest with the people around you and let them know you don’t have the answer, but you can find out. Not knowing doesn’t make you any less of a person or qualified for your role. Even doctors are befuddled sometimes. In actuality, not knowing everything shows that you’re human and relatable. We want to create connections with our peers or coworkers because that leads to strong and genuine ties. This helps to build a support system. 

The people behind you can make or break you. The different people in your life offer unique experiences to see things from a new perspective. One lesson I have recently learned from a few people in my system is not to short-change myself. Downplaying your role or abilities plays into the imposter syndrome mind games. I would have noticed I fell into this trap if it wasn’t for my support system observing and giving me constructive feedback when needed. It’s okay to be humble, but remember that you helped make this happen for yourself along with your support system.

These are just a few things helping me keep knowing I have a seat at the table. They may not work for you, and that’s okay. It took months, if not years, of trial and error to get here. I hope when reading this, you feel affirmed and know you do deserve a seat. It’s time to find out what helps you build your confidence and use those tools to propel yourself forward. 

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Most colonized countries, including the United States, were created on broken foundations. Those most likely to reap the benefits grew up with an abstract privilege based on generational prejudices, appropriating cultures, and superiority complexes. These aspects have continuously shaped the inequality we see in underrepresented groups. We see the inequality spill over into different facets of life, from legislation to digital likeness. And now more than ever, we know how this negatively affects all countries alike. Those who most need their voices heard have been silenced. The first few days into 2021, the US (my home) showed us all on a global scale just how far these privileges can go. The same people showing insensitivity for people who may be different were the same people wanting sympathy. For the general public, this evoked mistrust and anger, making it difficult to see hope in our system. Especially if you’re part of an underrepresented group, it’s clear to see we can no longer stand on this old framework. It’s full of fractured norms and discriminatory processes, and this calls for change. The year is beginning to shift in a positive direction. Globally we are seeing more people having a voice. For years we have seen those fighting for justice. I believe we are stepping into the next era of change for equality and inclusivity. And today, I wish to share one of those efforts, and that’s helping Sir Tim Berners-Lee fix the World Wide Web. 

What if I told you how we see the web today is not how it was intended? Yes, you read that correctly, and spoiler alert, it’s not! What if I also told you the creator of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, envisioned it to be a place for everyone from individuals to prominent enterprises to have an equal voice? Well, surprise, he did! And before I go on, and this gets heavy, I want to make a statement. The web might not be where we want it, but there are great qualities about it, from creating support chats for minority groups to being a platform to call out injustice on an international scale. 

Nonetheless, change must happen. For decades large corporations have been controlling your data, and it fuels their digital empire. In theory, the data they possess is the digital you. The transactions, conversations, and movements you make on the web are being tracked and gathered to make a digital version of you. All the data collected is typically sold off from large corporations to third parties to create an algorithmic idea of who you are. Instead of going to the source, that being you, these large companies thought they should go to a computer to create you. And the problem is the executives running these companies are mainly from centralized, typically privileged, and non-diverse backgrounds. Their privilege in this data space is similar to our societal framework, and it’s broken. And for years, this was the norm. Until recently, we started seeing the truth. These large corporations collected our data and took it too far from data manipulation, facial recognition leading to false arrests, digital/social polarization, and search engines tracking you even in your incognito windows. All of this was creating a digital space that was no longer for everyone. The problem, like many, was beginning to be noticeable. Luckily, conversations were sparked about making a change, stopping this norm, and decentralizing the web a little over three years ago. Starting this movement meant bringing the voice back to all people, not the large corporations. Berners-Lee decided to revision the web back to his true intentions by creating Solid. 

Solid is an open-source standard that is accessible or editable by anyone on the existing web. Meaning anyone can start building or be a part of the community without limitations, money, or status. Many people making decisions and benefiting from the web now come from centralized, mainly non-diverse corporations and similar backgrounds. Most of these individuals don’t necessarily think about or know how to have your best interests or needs in mind. So to have your voice heard would be vital. It’s also interoperable, meaning that all clients will be compatible with all servers. You won’t have to worry about millions of logins or changing the specs for your application to work with each server. Which I know can be nice. And lastly, and the most important note of all, is it gives us control of our data. We can allow access to our data or take it back at any time. Regaining control goes back to what we mentioned before about creating your identity instead of an AI. Humans are very complex and have many sides. Not every company, group, or person needs to see every side of you. That should be up to you to discover, control, and form. This is also good news to developers who get the chance to build an application without worrying about the back end. Solid gives us the opportunity to develop the tools and services we need to live harmoniously. 

For the last three years, Solid’s been in the incubation stage (constant work on the framework and specifications). The foundation for sound applications and a positive user experience is almost complete. Meaning right now is the time for developers, beta testers for various applications, or those interested in learning more about the community. If you are interested in building a web application, you should check out the Solid documentation. It will help to check out the Solid website and sign up now to create your pod. There are also applications you can try; Inrupt has a Solid app listing you can check out. And lastly, to join the community, you can check out the Solid forum, join us for Solid World, or read the This Month in Solid newsletter. Solid is an ecosystem, and a one-stop-shop where everyone has a place to speak, be acknowledged, and work asynchronously. 

With a decentralized web, everyone has a voice and gets value out of control over their data. We no longer have to watch large corporations run the web. We can reclaim it for ourselves. This is ours. Why are we letting a company or AI create our world!? The more we begin to realize this, our digital world is bound to change. It’s better to be proactive than reactive. We all can make an effort for inclusivity for people in the digital and physical world. It can no longer be acceptable to sit idly by and not assist in the betterment of others. So many people are forced into boxes, stripped away from creating an identity for themselves. It’s time to open the doors to new opportunities for all of us, As a collective. Today is the day you start your journey on the new take of the web. On Solid.

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We all want to build a foundation that leads to a successful future in our careers, networks, and professional endeavors. To construct that type of groundwork, I believe three key factors affect your path and your success. Those elements are 1) your environment, 2) opportunities, and 3) how you apply yourself. Recently, I had the opportunity and space to begin building my professional career and networks. As this is the beginning of my journey, I want to share what I have learned and inspire others to start building their foundation. This blog is an in-depth piece focused on my experiences in my current internship, what happened along the way and how it has positively impacted me moving forward. In the last week of my internship, I had the opportunity to reflect on everything I have gained. The three months spent at MSI helped to shift my mindset, career path, and build a fantastic professional support system. 

This past year was essential for me to establish myself professionally, to push myself mentally (and academically), and to build my skills for my dream roles. When a friend informed me of the internship position at Management Systems International (MSI), I started doing my research and learned that MSI is an international development firm. Their work sounded exciting, but I wasn’t as knowledgeable on the topic. And I initially doubted myself and didn’t want to apply for the role. But I realized if I continued to limit myself from my potential, I would never grow or build the foundation I always told everyone about. Yes, I would do freelance work here and there, but I wanted something that would push me out of my comfort zone. And this role would be that, so I applied.  

After a little time, I was contacted for a phone screening, which I was utterly excited about. I continued researching the company, but most of the information was hard for me to conceptualize at first (but happily, this would change). During the phone screening, I learned that MSI works with governments, communities, and development partners to tackle some of the most challenging issues around the world. Understanding their mission and the projects they took on inspired me to want to learn more about how I could be a part of their mission.

After the phone screening, I was asked to come in for a second interview. I was going to interview with the team I would intern for at MSI. That’s when I met my current supervisors who are Jess and Reda, two women I immediately looked up to (and still do). They provided clear expectations of the role and an understanding of how this internship role supported the team. Throughout the interview, I felt heard, respected, and in an environment that supported growth. Leaving the interview, I had a feeling this was the opportunity I had been looking for. Their expectations for the required skills were either what I wanted to showcase to them or was something I wanted to learn. Within a few days after the second interview, I got the role. I couldn’t have been happier. It felt amazing knowing that I finally took a chance to pursue a role that would build my professional career. And to know that my supervisors saw my potential and chose me for the role, that helped me build the confidence and drive to make sure I showed them my value. 

 My first day at MSI was great. The HR staff was so informative about teaching me more history of the company. A fun fact I learned was that they used to work on boats in The Wharf (in downtown DC). Throughout the day, I met more people from different departments who were welcoming and helpful in getting me acclimated to MSI and my role. The Executive Vice President of MSI even took time out to say hello and check-in. The entire company demonstrated the importance of being a community and a place that included everyone in the conversation. And I am proud to say that this consideration would continue for the rest of my time as an intern. With all of these qualities, I felt like it was effortless for me to find my footing and get to work. 

 Now let’s talk a little bit more about my team. We support the USAID Conflict Technical Capacity Building and Training (CTCBT) contract. My role on the team was to help with a component that managed an online community of practice for USAID’s Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation (CMM) called Peace Exchange. Peace Exchange implements bi-monthly campaigns on topics that intersect with peacebuilding. I was graced to work on the Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding, and Stabilization (CPPS) campaign. I got to support the launch of the campaign and its implementation from February-May. In addition to working on Peace Exchange, I also was able to work with the project management and communications teams throughout my internship. They all explained their basic expectations they would need from me during the campaign and the tools to be successful. They also made sure to leave open opportunities for me to try new things and learn new skills. 

 From the start, it was vital for me to learn the terminology and abbreviations associated with the Peace Exchange campaign. I found learning the information humbled me and taught me how important topics such as conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and stabilization are to international development. I understood the need for space where practitioners can find and share innovative approaches and tools and a platform that invites everyone to come together, which is Peace Exchange. My daily tasks involved working on the Peace Exchange website in WordPress, documenting resources, and creating content for our campaign’s communications toolkit. The toolkit was for other organizations to use on their social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter) to promote our online platform, Peace Exchange, and the CPPS campaign. When I worked with Chevaughn (who is from the communications department and created the toolkit), I got to understand even more about creating digital content, and it drove me to want to learn skills outside of the internship. I began learning more about HTML, SQL, various software, and writing content. After having a sit down with Chevaughn, I realized the direction I wanted my profession to go in. For me, that meant combining my skills in strategic and digital communications and project management. I know it’s a unique combination, but I’m willing to take the risk and put the work in to make it successful. I told my supervisors about this, and they all supported it and gave advice on how to do research and work to build a foundation for myself. 

 I have taken away many valuable lessons and positive experiences. I was able to have an environment with space to be heard, acknowledged, and respect. My supervisors were the reason I learned what a healthy environment looks like and feels like. They may not know this, but the three of them gave me the strength to see my value, have confidence in my skill set, to be patient, and dare to ask questions. I always wanted to make them proud and, in turn, would make myself proud. I remember at the beginning of the campaign we were looking for a partner, after doing some research, I found a company that held potential. Jess and Chevaughn looked over their organization and got them to be our partner at the beginning of the campaign. It was awesome to be a part of a team effort and see them using the skills that they were instilling in me. Jess and Reda were also always uplifting me in this role. They would share their stories of how they got here and reminded me that there’s no picture-perfect path, and that’s okay. It’s more than just how they were always positive when I made mistakes, all three of them turned them into lessons learned and gave me the tools and skills to grow. I feel lucky to not only call them my supervisors but as my mentors now. 

 As I leave this role, I feel full of hope and promise. I know I have a support system that will help me to become the professional I aspire to be and will hold me accountable to that statement. They taught me some of the biggest lessons on how to move forward, how to pay attention to the details, and believe in myself. They showed me that teamwork is vital in accomplishing goals, and it’s okay to ask for help. I understand that not every environment will be like this, but I can be the change that the company may need. Jess said two massive takeaways on how I could be that change, and I will have these throughout my professional journey. The first one was when you practice what you preach, and you probably won’t have to preach very much. The second was to try doing something you haven’t done before, and you might surprise yourself. Reda taught me that it’s important to remember your path can be a windy road and to embrace the journey. Chevaughn taught me that it’s essential to help others, to share knowledge, and support them. That advice has helped me to reach where I am today. It was vital for me to learn lessons from them that I can use throughout my journey. Working at MSI was a delight and healthy experience that I am thankful for, and I will continue to grow and push myself to build on the foundation it provided. Now I believe that your opportunities and environment can foster success, but it’s up to you to work for it.

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