Yesterday, I came across an old tweet on timehop from exactly a year ago that read:
“I have an interview with GM’s innovation team on Thursday HAHAHA wait, what’s innovation?”
Today, I’ve been with GM for around 9 months and you really can’t make this stuff up. Who knew? Apparently not me. This is fitting, because this week marks a year since I was a wee little non-fellow heading eastbound on I-94 from Ann Arbor to Detroit for the interview trip. I remember seeing the skyline for what felt like the first time (it was at least the 100th) because for some reason, this time it looked/felt different – fresh air waving through my windows, I was in Detroit for a purpose.
I wanted to be part of revitalization in a “once great American” city, whatever that meant. I also really wanted a job (for real), and to work with community members and organizations that knew more about issues in Detroit I could read about in a book. I wanted to be a part of positive change, again, whatever that meant – and I wanted to make an impact.
The past year has certainly been that, impactful, meaningful, and fruitful. I have learned and experienced more than I have words to share, become more innovative than the buzz-word itself can imply, and met some really great people along the way. From Kalamazoo to Ann Arbor to Detroit – a new job, new friends, and new home – GM and Challenge Detroit, to the Mayor’s Office, the Detroit Public Schools, and the Coalition On Temporary Shelter –
What a long strange trip it’s been.